NLC Launches Indefinite Strike in Abuja Over Teachers’ Promotion Issues

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has started an indefinite strike in Abuja, affecting both public and private sector operations. This strike began on Wednesday after the NLC’s seven-day ultimatum to the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) expired without a satisfactory response.

The NLC is protesting against long-standing welfare issues for teachers in the Federal Capital Territory. According to the NLC FCT Council Chairman, Comrade Knabayi S. Adalo, the FCTA’s reply to their demands was unclear and unacceptable.

A major point of contention is the FCTA’s use of a “vacancy clause” that ties teacher promotions to available job openings. The NLC argues that teachers are hired specifically for their roles and should not be treated like other civil servants who may be subject to different promotion rules. They believe this policy leads to career stagnation and low morale among educators.

The NLC is calling for several changes, including the removal of the vacancy clause for promotions, allowing eligible candidates from 2025 to take promotion exams alongside those from 2026, and reversing recent demotions of certain directors.

The union has instructed all workers in the public and private sectors, including those in schools and hospitals, to stop working until their demands are met. They have also set up committees to ensure that the strike is followed throughout the territory.

Adalo emphasized that teachers deserve fair treatment and that the FCTA’s efforts to maintain peace without addressing these issues are unrealistic. He urged parents, residents, and community groups to support the strike, warning that the education system in the territory could collapse if the situation is not resolved.