Hope Ajayi 
ABUJA, Nigeria – The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Federal Capital Territory Council, has begun an indefinite strike across the FCT over unresolved disputes concerning teachers’ promotion, redeployment and conditions of service.
The industrial action commenced on Wednesday, October 7, following the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA). The NLC rejected the administration’s response, saying it failed to address the union’s key demands.
In a communiqué signed by the FCT Council Chairman, Knabayi Adalo, after its State Executive Council meeting, the labour body directed its affiliate unions to mobilise members for the strike.
It also ordered the establishment of enforcement committees across the territory to monitor compliance with the industrial action.
At the centre of the dispute is the vacancy requirement attached to the promotion of FCT teachers.
The NLC is demanding the immediate removal of the requirement, arguing that teachers should not be subjected to a promotion system based on the availability of vacancies.
It also wants teachers who became eligible for promotion in 2025 to be allowed to sit for their promotion examinations before or alongside candidates eligible in 2026.
The union further demanded the withdrawal of redeployment and demotion letters issued to directors covered by the Harmonised Retirement Age for Teachers Act, 2022.
It also called for the dissolution and reconstitution of the management teams of the FCT State Education Board and FCT Universal Basic Education Board.
According to the NLC, the unresolved issues have contributed to “career stagnation, demoralisation, and humiliation” among teachers.
The council insisted that teachers should not be treated as core civil servants or pool officers, arguing that they were recruited specifically to teach. “There can be no peace without justice,” the NLC said.
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Mirian Gom 
Oluwatobi Adu 