NLC Declares Indefinite Strike In FCT

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, has declared a comprehensive and indefinite strike across the territory, directing both public and private sector workers to shut down operations starting Wednesday, October 7, 2026.

The industrial action follows the failure of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to resolve long-standing labour disputes affecting teachers, specifically regarding career stagnation, restrictive promotion conditions, and the controversial redeployment of school directors.

In an official communiqué issued after its State Executive Council (SEC) meeting in Abuja on Monday, October 6, 2026, and signed by FCT NLC Chairman, Comrade Knabayi S. Adalo, the union noted that the strike was triggered by the expiration of its notice and ultimatum to the FCTA.

Central to the union’s demands is the immediate abolition of the “vacancy clause” for teacher promotions.

The NLC argued that because teachers are specialized personnel recruited by the FCT Universal Basic Education Board (FCT UBEB) and Secondary Education Board (FCT SEB), they should not be subjected to civil service vacancy limitations that cause severe career stagnation.

The NLC is also demanding:

• Enabling eligible 2025 candidates to sit for promotion examinations alongside 2026 candidates.
• Reversal and withdrawal of demotion or redeployment letters issued to directors protected under the Harmonised Retirement Age for Teachers Act, 2022.
• Immediate dissolution and restructuring of the management teams at both the FCT SEB and FCT UBEB, accompanied by the reinstatement of affected officials.

Describing the FCTA’s previous responses as “ambiguous, dismissive, and totally unacceptable,” the NLC directed all affiliate unions to establish enforcement committees to ensure total compliance across government offices, public schools, healthcare centers, and commercial establishments throughout the FCT.