The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Abuja Council, has directed workers under the Federal Capital Territory Administration to commence an indefinite strike over unresolved labour disputes involving the FCT Administration.
The directive takes effect from Wednesday, October 7, 2026, following the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike to address the workers’ grievances.
The NLC FCT Council Chairman, Knabayi Adalo, announced the decision in a communique issued after an emergency meeting of the council’s State Executive Council.
According to Adalo, the industrial action became necessary after the FCT Administration failed to satisfactorily address the union’s demands, particularly issues affecting teachers.
One of the major demands is the removal of the vacancy requirement for teachers seeking promotion, which the union said has contributed to career stagnation among teachers.
The NLC is also demanding the withdrawal of redeployment and demotion letters issued to directors in agencies under the FCT Education Secretariat who benefited from the Harmonised Retirement Age for Teachers Act, 2022.
The union further wants eligible teachers who were unable to take the 2025 promotion examination to be allowed to sit for the examination alongside the 2026 batch.
It also called for the dissolution and reconstitution of the management teams of the FCT Secondary Education Board and the FCT Universal Basic Education Board.
Although the FCT Administration had communicated steps towards addressing some of the grievances, Adalo said the response did not adequately resolve the outstanding issues.
He accused the administration of failing to provide a satisfactory solution to the controversial vacancy requirement and the redeployment of senior directors.
The NLC subsequently directed workers in schools, hospitals, government offices and other FCT establishments to remain at home until the union’s demands are addressed.
The council also instructed its affiliate unions in both the public and private sectors to ensure full compliance with the strike directive.
Adalo called on FCT workers to remain united throughout the industrial action and assured them that participants would not be victimised for joining the strike.
