The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has declared an indefinite strike in Abuja over unresolved disputes concerning the promotion and career progression of teachers in the territory.
The industrial action begins on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, following the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued to the FCT Administration (FCTA) to address the grievances.
The NLC had issued the ultimatum on September 8, demanding urgent action on what it described as long-standing welfare and career-related challenges confronting teachers employed by the FCT.
In a communique signed by the NLC FCT Council Chairman, Comrade Knabayi S. Adalo, the labour body rejected the FCTA’s response to its demands, describing it as “ambiguous, dismissive and totally unacceptable.”
At the heart of the dispute is the FCTA’s implementation of a “vacancy clause,” which makes the promotion of teachers subject to the availability of vacant positions.
The NLC faulted the policy, arguing that teachers are specifically recruited by the FCT Universal Basic Education Board (FCT UBEB) and the FCT Secondary Education Board (FCT SEB) to teach, and should therefore not be subjected to promotion conditions applicable to general pool officers.
According to the union, the vacancy-based promotion system has resulted in prolonged career stagnation, frustration and declining morale among teachers in the FCT.
The NLC maintained that teachers should be promoted based on established career progression rules and their eligibility, rather than the availability of vacancies.
The union consequently directed its members to commence the indefinite strike, pending a satisfactory resolution of the dispute with the FCT Administration.
The development is expected to affect teaching and other related activities across public schools in the Federal Capital Territory as the labour dispute persists.
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