The FCT Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has declared an indefinite strike in Abuja over unresolved issues surrounding the promotion and career progression of teachers.
The action begins on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, after the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, failed to resolve the issues raised in a seven-day ultimatum.
The NLC issued the ultimatum on September 8, 2026, demanding action on long-running welfare concerns affecting FCT teachers.
In a communique signed by NLC FCT Council Chairman, Comrade Knabayi S. Adalo, the union rejected the FCTA’s response, calling it “ambiguous, dismissive and totally unacceptable”.
A major point of disagreement is the FCTA’s use of a “vacancy clause”, which makes teacher promotions dependent on available vacancies.
The NLC said teachers are recruited specifically by the FCT Universal Basic Education Board, FCT UBEB, and the FCT Secondary Education Board, FCT SEB, to teach. It said they are therefore different from core civil servants or pool staff.
The union maintained that vacancy-based promotion rules are meant for pool officers, adding that the policy has caused serious career stagnation and left educators demoralised.
