FCT Schools, Offices, Hospitals Paralyzed as NLC Strike Begins Over Teachers’ Demands

By Omoyeni Ojeifo

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), FCT Council, has declared an indefinite strike from Wednesday, October 7, over unresolved issues affecting FCT teachers, including promotion restrictions and redeployment of directors.

The Council also directed all workers across the FCT to stay away from their duty posts, with schools, hospitals, offices and other government establishments to remain shut.

According to the NLC, the decision followed the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued to the FCT Administration (FCTA) on September 8 over the outstanding labour issues.

In a communiqué issued after its State Executive Council meeting on Monday, October 6, NLC FCT Council Chairman, Comrade Knabayi S. Adalo, described the FCTA’s response as “ambiguous and totally unacceptable.”

“The FCTA’s response to our ultimatum was vague and did not address the core issue of the vacancy clause, including the unlawful demotion of directors,” the Council said.

The union demanded the removal of the vacancy precondition for promotion and reconsideration of eligible 2025 teachers to write their promotion examination before or alongside the 2026 candidates.

“Teachers are not core civil servants nor pool staff and cannot be subjected to vacancy-based promotion meant for pool officers. They were recruited by FCT UBEB and FCT SEB to teach.”

The NLC also called for withdrawal of redeployment and demotion letters issued to directors benefiting from the Harmonized Retirement Age for Teachers Act, 2022.

It further demanded dissolution of the management teams of FCT SEB and FCT UBEB, with the affected directors immediately reinstated.

“All workers in the Federal Capital Territory, both in the public and private sectors, should commence an indefinite strike action with effect from Wednesday, 7th October, 2026,” the Council resolved.

The Council further directed affiliate unions to mobilise their members for total compliance and establish enforcement committees to ensure full compliance.

“All offices, schools, hospitals, and other government establishments in the FCT shall remain shut until the Council’s demands are met,” it resolved.

The NLC also declared that no worker should be victimised for participating in the industrial action and urged FCT workers to remain resolute, united and law-abiding.

It appealed to parents, residents, civil society organisations and well-meaning Nigerians to prevail on the FCTA to address the issues and prevent further disruption in the education sector.