The Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS), Federal Capital Territory chapter, has rejected the indefinite strike declared by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), directing secondary school teachers and education officers to continue working.
The directive followed an emergency meeting of the union’s State Executive Council, which reviewed the decision by the NUT FCT Wing to withdraw its members’ services over unresolved labour issues in the territory.
ASUSS described the strike as premature and warned that shutting schools could disrupt academic activities and negatively affect students.
The union therefore urged its members to disregard the stay-at-home directive and report to their classrooms, stressing that students should not become victims of an industrial dispute.
ASUSS addresses teachers’ grievances
The union also responded to some of the issues raised by the NUT, particularly the controversial vacancy requirement for teachers’ promotion, the promotion examination and the redeployment of directors in education agencies.
On the vacancy issue, ASUSS said the requirement remained part of the Public Service Rules governing establishment control and financial planning.
It argued that any changes to existing career structures should be pursued through administrative engagement and dialogue rather than industrial action.
Regarding promotions, ASUSS said arrangements had already been made for the 2025 promotion exercise to run alongside the 2026 cycle under the FCT Civil Service Commission, in line with circulars issued in September 2026.
The union also maintained that the redeployment of directors in education agencies to classrooms fell within the statutory powers of management and was intended to improve administrative efficiency.
NUT, NLC insist on strike
The ASUSS position comes after the NUT FCT Wing directed teachers in primary and secondary schools to stay at home following the commencement of an indefinite strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in the FCT.
The NLC said the industrial action followed the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, over unresolved labour disputes and grievances affecting teachers.
Among the union’s demands are the removal of the vacancy condition for teachers’ promotion, reconsideration of the 2025 promotion examination arrangements, and the reversal of certain redeployment and demotion decisions involving education directors.
The NLC has directed workers across the FCT, including those in schools, hospitals, offices and other establishments, to withdraw their services until its demands are addressed.
Schools directed to remain open
Despite the wider strike directive, ASUSS instructed principals, vice-principals and education officers to keep secondary schools open and ensure normal academic and administrative activities continue.
The union also urged eligible education officers to participate in the scheduled 2025/2026 promotion examinations, warning that the strike could interfere with the exercise.
Parents and guardians were encouraged to send their children to school, while school authorities were directed to monitor attendance and maintain a safe learning environment.
ASUSS called for the various parties to return to the negotiating table, maintaining that the grievances could be resolved through dialogue without disrupting the education of students across the FCT.
