NLC suspends indefinite strike in Abuja

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

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

Mr Adalo explained that the decision followed the conclusion of conciliatory talks between the labour union, 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 that the resolutions were formally adopted at the end of an emergency State Executive Council (SEC) meeting held at the Labour House, Central Business District, Abuja.

According to him, the suspension was agreed upon in the spirit of social dialogue and industrial harmony following key concessions reached regarding 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.

“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.

Mr Adalo, however, issued conditions to guarantee full compliance by authorities.

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He said that the NLC would set up a dedicated monitoring committee tasked with enforcing the agreed terms within specified timelines.

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

He informed workers who participated in the strike that the union had secured a binding agreement that no worker or teacher would face reprisals, penalties, or victimisation for participating in the industrial action.

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

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the NLC had on 7 October, directed all workers in the FCT Administration, including those in the private sector, to commence an indefinite strike over unresolved labour disputes and policy grievances affecting teachers.