NLC orders FCT workers to begin indefinite strike

By Joan Nwagwu and Philip Yatai

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, has ordered all workers in the FCT Administration, including those in the private sector, to commence an indefinite strike from Wednesday.

The ​‌‌⁠‌‍⁠⁠‍​​⁠‍‍​⁠⁠‌​directive followed the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued to the Minister of the FCT, Mr Nyesom Wike, over unresolved labour disputes and policy grievances affecting teachers.

The council Chairman, Mr Knabayi Adalo, disclosed this in a communique issued at the end of an emergency State Executive Council (SEC) meeting.

Adalo explained that the industrial action became necessary after the FCT Administration failed to meet the workers’ demands.

He identified one of the demands as the abolition of the vacancy precondition for teachers’ promotions, which he described as the primary cause of career stagnation and demoralisation.

He also demanded the immediate withdrawal of redeployment and demotion letters issued to directors in agencies under the Education Secretariat who were beneficiaries of the Harmonised Retirement Age for Teachers Act, 2022.

“There was also the demand for the reconsideration of 2025 eligible teachers to sit for their promotion examination alongside the 2026 batch.

“The union also demanded the dissolution and reinstatement of the management teams at the FCT Secondary Education Board (SEB) and the FCT Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB),” he said.

Adalo expressed dissatisfaction with the position of the FCT Administration in addressing the disputes, describing its response as neither positive, clear nor genuine, and therefore dismissive and unacceptable.

It would be recalled that the Head of the Civil Service, FCTA, Mrs Nancy Nathan, in a letter dated Sept. 29, informed the union that Wike had directed a stay of action over the concerns raised.

Nathan added that the minister further directed that the issues raised should be stepped down forthwith, while the FCT Civil Service Commission should reschedule the 2025 promotion examination for the affected education officers.

She also expressed the minister’s commitment to addressing other outstanding matters.

The labour leader, however, said the response completely ignored the illegal redeployment of senior directors and offered no meaningful solution to the controversial vacancy clause.

“The council will no longer tolerate the continued dehumanisation of FCT teachers through obnoxious policies alien to the teaching profession,” Adalo said.

The chairman directed that all schools, hospitals, offices and government establishments across the FCTA remain closed until all the union’s demands are met.

He also directed all affiliate industrial unions in both the public and private sectors to ensure total compliance among their members.

Adalo added that special enforcement committees were being established across sectors to monitor compliance with the strike directive.

He called on all FCT workers to remain resolute and assured them that no individual would face victimisation for participating in the legitimate industrial action.

(NAN)