The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, has directed workers in the FCT Administration, including those in the private sector, to begin an indefinite strike from Wednesday, October 7, over unresolved labour disputes and policy grievances affecting teachers.
The council Chairman, Mr Knabayi Adalo, announced the directive in a communique issued after an emergency State Executive Council meeting, following the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum to the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike. Among the union’s demands is the abolition of the vacancy requirement for teachers’ promotions, which it says has contributed to career stagnation and demoralisation.
The NLC also demanded the withdrawal of redeployment and demotion letters issued to senior directors in education agencies who benefited from the Harmonised Retirement Age for Teachers Act, 2022. Other demands include allowing eligible 2025 teachers to sit for promotion examinations alongside the 2026 batch and the dissolution and reinstatement of management teams at the FCT Secondary Education Board and Universal Basic Education Board.
The FCT Administration had earlier informed the union that Wike directed a stay of action on some of the issues and ordered the rescheduling of the 2025 promotion examination for affected education officers. Adalo, however, said the response failed to address the redeployment of senior directors and the vacancy clause. He directed that schools, hospitals, offices and government establishments remain closed until the demands are met, while special committees will monitor compliance with the strike.
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