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

The strike takes effect from Wednesday, October 7, 2026, following the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued to the FCT Administration.

The NLC had issued the ultimatum on September 8, demanding the resolution of long-standing welfare issues affecting teachers in the FCT.

In a communique signed by the NLC FCT Council Chairman, Comrade Knabayi S. Adalo, the union rejected the FCTA’s response, describing it as “ambiguous, dismissive and totally unacceptable.”

The dispute centres on the FCTA’s implementation of a vacancy clause, which makes teachers’ promotion subject to the availability of vacancies.

The NLC argued that teachers are recruited specifically by the FCT Universal Basic Education Board and FCT Secondary Education Board to teach, distinguishing them from core civil servants and pool staff.

The union maintained that vacancy-based promotion should apply to pool officers and said the policy had resulted in career stagnation and demoralisation among teachers.

It called for an end to the practice and the resolution of other outstanding welfare issues affecting FCT educators.