The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, FCT Council has declared an indefinite strike in Abuja over unresolved disputes concerning the promotion and career progression of teachers in the Federal Capital Territory.

The industrial action takes effect from Wednesday, October 7, 2026, following the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued to the FCT Administration over the long-running welfare concerns.

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The NLC had issued the ultimatum to the FCT Administration on September 8, demanding action to resolve issues affecting teachers employed across the territory.

In a communique signed by the NLC FCT Council Chairman, Comrade Knabayi S. Adalo, the union rejected the administration’s response to its demands.

The union described the response as “ambiguous, dismissive and totally unacceptable”, signalling a breakdown in efforts to resolve the dispute through the ultimatum.

At the centre of the disagreement is the implementation of what the NLC described as a “vacancy clause”, under which teachers’ promotions are reportedly tied to the availability of vacant positions.

The labour union argued that the arrangement was inappropriate for teachers because they are specifically recruited by the FCT Universal Basic Education Board, FCT UBEB, and the FCT Secondary Education Board, FCT SEB, to teach.

According to the NLC, teachers should therefore be treated differently from core civil servants or pool officers whose career progression may be linked to available positions.

The union maintained that vacancy-based promotion should apply to pool officers rather than teachers who were employed specifically to provide educational services.

It argued that the existing system had resulted in prolonged career stagnation among teachers and contributed to declining morale within the teaching workforce.

The declaration places renewed pressure on the FCT Administration to address the union’s concerns as the strike begins in Abuja.

The dispute centres not only on promotion but also on the broader question of career progression and welfare for teachers serving in schools across the Federal Capital Territory.