FCT Teachers Join JUAC Strike as NUT Orders Shutdown of Schools

By Halima Abdulkadiri

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Wing, has directed all primary and secondary school teachers in the territory to join the ongoing strike action called by the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC).

The directive, which takes effect from Monday, January 26, 2026, was announced in a communiqué jointly signed by the NUT FCT Chairman, Abdullahi Shafas; Secretary, Margaret Jethro; and Publicity Secretary, Ibukun Adekeye, and issued to journalists in Abuja.

According to the communiqué, the decision follows a directive from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) mandating all its affiliate unions in the FCT to escalate the industrial action.

Although the union expressed earlier reservations about the organisational approach of the JUAC-led strike, it said the intervention of the NLC made it necessary to present a united front.

“All teachers in FCT primary and secondary schools are to stay away from classrooms starting Monday,” the communiqué stated.

It added that teachers within the city centre and neighbouring areas are to converge at the National Industrial Court (NIC), Gimbiya Street, Area 11, Abuja, by 7:00 a.m. on Monday to show solidarity during the hearing of a court case instituted against JUAC.

The union reaffirmed its commitment to continued negotiations with the relevant authorities until all outstanding demands affecting teachers are addressed.

“In pursuit of justice and to demonstrate our collective resolve, we must stand together. A people united can never be defeated,” the communiqué read.

NUT also urged its members to remain steadfast, assuring them that regular updates would be provided as the situation develops.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that workers under the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) commenced an indefinite strike on January 19 over unresolved welfare issues.

JUAC members have been calling for urgent intervention on issues affecting their welfare, including the non-remittance of pension and National Housing Fund deductions, lack of payment of overheads, unlawful centralisation of salary preparation and payment, and non-payment of allowances to officers of the Abuja Environmental Protection Board and the Social Development Secretariat involved in law enforcement duties.