Teachers in the Federal Capital Territory are set to commence an indefinite strike after the FCT chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, rejected the administration’s response to demands over promotion and career advancement.
The industrial action takes effect on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, following the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued to the FCT Administration.
The NLC FCT Council had given the administration the ultimatum on September 8, seeking an end to what it described as prolonged welfare and career-related issues affecting teachers across the territory.
However, the labour council said the response it received from the FCT Administration failed to address its concerns.
In a communique signed by the NLC FCT Council Chairman, Comrade Knabayi S. Adalo, the union described the response as “ambiguous, dismissive and totally unacceptable”.
The dispute centres largely on the application of a “vacancy clause” to teachers’ promotions.
The NLC objected to the policy, arguing that it has effectively restricted the career progression of teachers by making their advancement dependent on the availability of vacant positions.
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According to the union, teachers recruited through the FCT Universal Basic Education Board and the FCT Secondary Education Board are employed specifically to teach and should not be subjected to the same promotion structure applicable to core civil servants or pool officers.
The labour body argued that vacancy-based promotions were designed for pool officers and were inappropriate for the teaching profession.
It said continued application of the policy had left many teachers unable to progress in their careers despite having spent years in service.
The union also warned that the situation had contributed to frustration and declining morale among educators in the FCT.
With the ultimatum expiring without what the NLC considered a satisfactory resolution, the council directed its members to begin the indefinite strike from Wednesday.
The action is expected to affect teaching activities in schools across the Federal Capital Territory until the issues raised by the union are addressed.