The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has declared an indefinite strike in Abuja over unresolved issues surrounding the promotion and career progression of teachers in the territory.

The strike began on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, following the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued to the FCT Administration (FCTA) to address what the union described as longstanding welfare concerns affecting teachers.

The NLC had issued the ultimatum on September 8, 2026, demanding the resolution of the disputes.

However, 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 largely on the FCTA’s implementation of a “vacancy clause,” which makes the promotion of teachers dependent on the availability of vacant positions.

The NLC argued that teachers are recruited specifically by the FCT Universal Basic Education Board (FCT UBEB) and the FCT Secondary Education Board (FCT SEB) to perform teaching duties, and should therefore not be subjected to the same promotion conditions applicable to core civil servants or pool officers.

According to the union, vacancy-based promotion is designed for pool officers and should not be applied to teachers whose career progression ought to be based on established promotion criteria.

The NLC said the policy has resulted in prolonged career stagnation, frustration and declining morale among teachers in the FCT.

It therefore directed its members to commence the indefinite strike until the FCTA addresses the outstanding issues and reaches an acceptable resolution with the union.