Over 5,900 FCTA Education Officers Take 2026 Promotion Exams

No fewer than 5,900 education officers from the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) are taking the 2026 promotion exam organized by the FCT Civil Service Commission. This is happening even with the ongoing strike by FCT workers.

Nancy Nathan, the FCTA Head of Civil Service, monitored the exam in Abuja on Monday. She said the turnout was impressive despite the ongoing strike called by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), FCT Council.

“It is good to see that the teachers have prioritised their long-term career advancement by turning out to sit for the examination,” she said.

Ms Nathan explained that some participants are those who could not write the 2025 exam held in August. She added that these teachers were removed from the exam hall by officials of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) protesting the vacancy requirement for promoting education officers.

She mentioned that FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has kindly directed that these affected teachers should be included in the 2026 exam. Speaking about promotion vacancies, she clarified that available slots become fewer at higher grade levels due to the structure of the civil service.

She also noted that the new retirement age for teachers, which added five years to their service, temporarily froze retirements and reduced vacancies over the past four years. But she said there is still enough room for officers at lower levels to move up to Grade Level 14.

“The promotions will be strictly merit-based, and educators will return to their classrooms immediately after they finish their assessments,” she said.

Emeka Ezeh, Chairman of the FCT Civil Service Commission, praised the candidates' enthusiasm since the exams started on October 5.

Mr Ezeh advised the educators not to fall for outside influences or political motives that could harm their professional growth.

Rifkatu Iortyer, president of the Joint Unions Action Congress (JUAC) for FCTA workers and Federal Capital Development Authority, expressed happiness about the inclusion of teachers who missed the 2025 exam.

On the ongoing strike by FCT workers, Ms Iortyer said the JUAC leadership is helping to facilitate informal talks between labor leaders and FCTA management. This is to resolve the industrial dispute and limit disruption to student learning.

She urged calm regarding the no work, no pay policy that Mr Wike has invoked. She believes that the ongoing talks will lead to a peaceful and beneficial outcome for everyone.

Adamu Gwary, director of the FCTA Security Services Department, said the exam went smoothly after security personnel were deployed to ensure safety.

Mr Gwary said this success is thanks to a structured, multi-layered security plan, including strict accreditation checkpoints from the main gates to the exam halls to manage the crowd effectively.