NLC suspends FCT strike, directs teachers to resume Wednesday

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, has suspended its indefinite strike and directed affected workers, particularly primary and secondary school teachers, to resume work on Wednesday.

The Chairman of the union in the FCT, Mr. Knabayi Adalo, announced the suspension in a communique issued in Abuja on Tuesday.

Adalo said the decision followed conciliatory talks between the NLC, the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), the management of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.

He said the resolutions were adopted at an emergency State Executive Council (SEC) meeting held at the Labour House, Central Business District, Abuja.

According to him, the suspension was agreed in the spirit of social dialogue and industrial harmony, following concessions on teachers’ career progression and administrative directives.

“On vacancy provision for education officers, it was resolved that promotion vacancies for education officers will align with established positions declared by the FCT Education Secretariat.

“The council noted that an upcoming exit of directorate officers would clear the path for the upward mobility of eligible officers.

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“Also, following approval from the FCT Executive Council and subsequent communication to the FCT Civil Service Commission on the 2025 promotion examination, a new date will be announced to allow qualified candidates to take the examination.

“Regarding the deployment of officers benefiting from the Harmonised Retirement Age for Teachers back into classrooms, stakeholders agreed to maintain the FCT Executive Council’s directive, stepping down the process until further notice,” he said.

Adalo said the NLC will set up a monitoring committee to enforce compliance with the agreements within specified timelines.

He warned that failure by the FCTA or relevant authorities to implement the agreements would trigger an automatic resumption of the strike without prior notice.

He added that the union secured a binding agreement that no worker or teacher would face reprisals or victimisation for participating in the strike.

He commended the resilience of FCT teachers and the solidarity of affiliate unions, the Ministry of Labour, and FCTA management during negotiations.

Recall that the NLC had on October 7 directed all workers in the FCTA, including those in the private sector, to commence an indefinite strike over unresolved labour disputes affecting teachers.