The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, FCT Council has declared an indefinite strike across the Federal Capital Territory over unresolved concerns surrounding the promotion and welfare of teachers.

The industrial action began on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, following a decision reached at the council’s State Executive Council meeting held on Tuesday at Labour House, Abuja.

In a statement signed by the FCT Council Chairman, Knabayi S. Adalo, the union directed workers in both the public and private sectors to withdraw their services and remain at home until further notice.

The decision followed the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory over demands relating to the conditions of teachers in the territory.

Among the union’s demands is the removal of the vacancy requirement for the promotion of FCT teachers and the reconsideration of teachers who became eligible for promotion in 2025 so they can take the required promotion examinations.

The NLC is also demanding the withdrawal of redeployment and demotion letters issued to directors who benefited from provisions of the Harmonised Teachers Retirement Age Act, 2022.

The labour body said the response from the FCT Administration to its ultimatum failed to resolve the issues, particularly the vacancy requirement and what it described as the unlawful demotion of some directors.

The council argued that teachers should not be subjected to the vacancy-based promotion system applicable to pool officers, stressing that teachers are employed specifically to perform teaching duties and should be promoted when they become due.

The NLC therefore directed all workers across the FCT, including those in the private sector, to stay away from their workplaces from October 7 until further notice.

The union appealed to residents, especially parents, to bear with workers during the industrial action and called on civil society organisations and other stakeholders to intervene.

It said the strike was intended to pressure the FCT Administration to address the outstanding issues affecting teachers and prevent further disruption to the territory’s education sector.

The council emphasised that the action was not a warning strike, declaring that it would be “total and indefinite.”

The FCT Administration had yet to publicly respond to the strike declaration as of press time.