Nigeria Labour Congress declares indefinite strike in Abuja

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) FCT Council has commenced an indefinite strike across Abuja, affecting both public and private sectors. The industrial action, which began on October 7, 2026, follows the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).

The dispute centers on the career progression and welfare of teachers. The NLC is challenging a vacancy clause that makes teacher promotions dependent on the availability of vacant positions, arguing that teachers should not be subject to the same rules as pool officers. Additional demands include allowing teachers eligible for promotion in 2025 to sit for examinations alongside the 2026 cohort, and the withdrawal of redeployment and demotion letters issued to directors under the Harmonised Teachers Retirement Age Act, 2022.

The Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS) has dissociated itself from the strike, urging members to continue their duties to avoid disrupting students' academic progress. ASUSS maintains that the vacancy requirement is a statutory provision of the Public Service Rules and that administrative arrangements for promotions are already being addressed.