NLC calls off indefinite strike in Abuja

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, has stopped its indefinite strike. They told all affected workers, especially primary and secondary school teachers, to go back to work on Wednesday.

Knabayi Adalo, the NLC chairman in FCT, shared this news in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday.

Mr Adalo said the decision came after talks between the labour union, the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), the FCT Administration, and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.

He mentioned that they formally agreed on the resolutions after an emergency State Executive Council (SEC) meeting at the Labour House in Central Business District, Abuja.

He explained that the suspension was made in the spirit of discussion and to keep peace in the workplace. They reached some important agreements about teachers’ career growth and other administrative issues.

"For the education officers, it was agreed that promotion vacancies will match the positions set by the FCT Education Secretariat."

"The council noted that some directorate officers are set to leave soon, which will create opportunities for eligible officers to move up."

"Also, the FCT Executive Council approved a new date for the 2025 promotion exam and will inform qualified candidates."

"On the matter of deploying officers who benefit from the Harmonised Retirement Age for Teachers back into schools, it was agreed to follow the FCT Executive Council’s directive and pause the process until further notice," he said.

Mr Adalo also laid out conditions to ensure authorities follow through with the agreements.

He said the NLC would form a monitoring committee to make sure the agreements are kept on time.

He warned that if the FCTA or other relevant authorities fail to implement the agreements, the strike would automatically restart without any notice.

He assured workers who took part in the strike that the union has secured a binding agreement. No worker or teacher will face any punishment or victimisation for being part of the strike.

He praised the determination of FCT teachers and acknowledged the support from affiliate unions, the Ministry of Labour, and FCTA management during the talks.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reminds us that the NLC had on 7 October ordered all workers in the FCT Administration, including those in the private sector, to begin an indefinite strike due to unresolved labour issues and policy problems affecting teachers.