FCT teachers’ strike: NANS, ASUSS call for dialogue
The Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Chapter, and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Joint Campus Council (JCC) FCT Chapter, have distanced themselves from the ongoing strike action declared by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), FCT Wing, describing the action as ill-timed and counterproductive.
Speaking at an interactive session with members of the Abuja Residents Youth Association and the League of Civil Society Groups, FCT ASUSS Chairman, Julius Ogundiran, reaffirmed that secondary school teachers across the territory remain in their classrooms and are actively carrying out their academic duties.
“First, let me reaffirm our position unconditionally. ASUSS is not on strike.
“We have disassociated ourselves from the NUT strike action, and all secondary school teachers in the FCT are in their classrooms teaching,” Ogundiran stated.
He noted that while ASUSS strongly supports legitimate demands for teachers’ welfare, the union opposes the disruption of the ongoing 2026 Computer-Based Test (CBT) promotion examination scheduled for October 2026, emphasizing that teachers’ career progression and students’ academic futures must not be compromised.
Also addressing stakeholders, the Public Relations Officer of ASUSS, FCT Chapter, Comrade Pastor Ibiam Cyril Johnson, declared the strike action illegal, noting that pupils and students ultimately bear the cost of unnecessary disruptions to the academic calendar.
Johnson explained that ASUSS, an affiliate of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), operates independently of the NUT, which is affiliated with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
He stressed that ASUSS was neither consulted nor aligned with the decision to embark on industrial action.
“As far as the FCT is concerned, we have taken our stand: we are not part of the strike, and we are not embarking on a strike.
“The issues of vacancy are administrative issues and gazetted policies under the Nigerian Public Service Rules.
“On the 2026 CBT promotion examination, the FCT Minister showed magnanimity by approving that the 2025 promotion set be carried along with the 2026 exercise after earlier disruptions,” Johnson said.
He called on the NUT leadership to “sheathe their swords” and engage the FCT Administration (FCTA), the FCT Civil Service Commission, and relevant boards through constructive dialogue rather than confrontation.
Echoing similar concerns, NANS JCC FCT Chapter Secretary General, Comrade Abdulkarim Abba Muhammad, urged labour leaders and the FCTA to immediately suspend the strike to safeguard students’ academic progression.
“Students should not pay the price for disputes between the government and labour.
“Every day away from the classroom costs learners valuable teaching time and places added pressure on families,” Muhammad said.
Muhammad also raised questions regarding political neutrality within labour leadership, calling on the FCT NLC Chairman to clarify his reported involvement as an African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate to maintain public confidence and prevent workers’ grievances from being used for political leverage.
Both ASUSS and NANS reaffirmed their commitment to teachers’ welfare and fair career advancement, maintaining that constructive dialogue remains the only viable path to resolving grievances without destabilizing education in the Federal Capital Territory.
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