The Nigeria Labour Congress, Federal Capital Territory Council, has instructed both public and private sector employees in the territory to commence an indefinite strike starting Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
This directive comes after the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum given to the Federal Capital Territory Administration regarding unresolved grievances tied to the promotion and working conditions of teachers in the territory.
In a communiqué issued following its State Executive Council meeting on Monday, October 6, signed by FCT Council Chairman Knabayi Adalo, the union described the response from the administration as “ambiguous and totally unacceptable.”
The labor union has instructed all affiliate unions to prepare their members for full compliance, with enforcement committees set to be deployed throughout the capital. Under these guidelines, schools, government offices, healthcare facilities, and commercial establishments are expected to remain closed until all demands are met.
The union originally issued a seven-day ultimatum on September 8, demanding the elimination of the vacancy requirement used to determine teacher promotions. The congress also urged that educators eligible for promotion in 2025 be allowed to sit for their assessments alongside or prior to the 2026 candidates. Furthermore, the union requested the reversal of demotions and redeployments affecting directors covered under the Harmonised Retirement Age for Teachers Act, 2022, along with the dissolution and immediate reinstatement of the management teams at the FCT State Education Board and the FCT Universal Basic Education Board.
According to the union, the administration failed to resolve the core issue of the vacancy policy, which it blames for stagnant career progression among educators. The congress also noted that the administration did not address the redeployment of affected directors.
”Teachers in the FCT continue to suffer career stagnation, demoralisation, and humiliation despite their selfless service,” the communiqué stated.
The labor council argued that educators should not face promotion restrictions based on available vacancies, noting that teachers are recruited for specific educational roles and cannot be treated the same as general civil service staff.
”Teachers are neither core civil servants nor pool staff and cannot be subjected to vacancy-based promotion schemes meant for pool officers,” the council said.
Addressing the ongoing stalemate, the union emphasized that the dispute cannot end without tackling the core issues.
”There can be no peace without justice,” the council declared.
Consequently, the union directed workers across both public and private sectors in the capital to stay away from work starting Wednesday, October 7, until further notice, while emphasizing that no worker should face administrative retaliation for joining the industrial action.
The council also called on parents, civil society organizations, and the general public to intervene and encourage the administration to resolve the conflict, warning that prolonging the impasse will cause further harm to the territory’s educational sector.
The labor union stated that the industrial action across the territory will be “total and indefinite.”
