The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), FCT Wing, has directed all primary and secondary school teachers in the territory to join the ongoing strike action led by the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC), set to commence on Monday, Jan. 26, 2026.
The directive was contained in a communiqué jointly signed by the union’s State Chairman, Abdullahi Shafas; State Secretary, Margaret Jethro; and Publicity Secretary, Ibukun Adekeye, issued on Monday in Abuja.
According to the communiqué, the decision to down tools follows instructions from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), which directed all affiliate unions in the FCT to escalate the industrial action.
While the NUT initially had reservations about the JUAC-led strike, it said the NLC’s intervention made unified action necessary.
“All teachers in FCT primary and secondary schools are to stay away from classrooms starting Monday. Teachers within the city centre and surrounding areas are directed to converge at the National Industrial Court (NIC) on Gimbiya Street, Area 11, Abuja by 7 a.m. on Monday. The gathering is intended to show solidarity during the hearing of a court case instituted against JUAC,” the communiqué stated.
The union reaffirmed its commitment to negotiations with authorities until all outstanding demands affecting teachers are met, adding: “In pursuit of justice and to demonstrate our collective resolve, we must stand together. A people united can never be defeated.”
The NUT also urged members to remain steadfast while promising to provide updates as the situation unfolds.
the FCT Administration began an indefinite strike on Jan. 19 over unresolved welfare concerns. Workers under JUAC have been pressing for urgent action on issues affecting their morale and productivity, including non-remittance of pension and National Housing Fund deductions, non-payment of officers in certain boards, unlawful restriction and centralisation of salary preparation and payment, and other welfare-related grievances.