The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has directed all primary and secondary school teachers to join the ongoing strike action embarked upon by the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC), effectively suspending academic activities from Monday, January 26, 2026.
The directive followed an emergency meeting of the State Wing Standing Committee of the union, held on Sunday at the FCT Teachers’ House in Gwagwalada.
In a communiqué jointly signed by the State Chairman, Mr. Abdulahi Shafa; the State Secretary, Mrs. Margaret Jethro; and the State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Ibukun Adekeye, the union announced that teachers were to down tools with immediate effect.
According to the communiqué, the decision was reached after extensive deliberations on the ongoing industrial action, the initial reservations expressed by the NUT, and the subsequent intervention and directive of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), which mandated all its affiliate unions in the FCT to join and escalate the strike.
“All teachers in FCT primary and secondary schools are to stay away from classrooms starting Monday,” the communiqué stated. “Teachers within the city centre and surrounding areas are directed to converge at the National Industrial Court on Gimbiya Street, Area 11, Abuja, by 7:00 a.m. on Monday.”
The union explained that the gathering was intended to demonstrate solidarity during the hearing of a court case instituted against JUAC.
Reaffirming its commitment to sustained engagement with the relevant authorities, the NUT said it would continue to press for the resolution of all outstanding issues affecting teachers’ welfare.
“In pursuit of justice and to demonstrate our collective resolve, we must stand together. A people united can never be defeated,” the communiqué added.
The union urged its members to remain steadfast and assured them that further updates would be communicated as events unfold.
The FCT Administration commenced an indefinite strike on January 19, 2026, over unresolved welfare issues. Workers under the umbrella of JUAC have been demanding urgent intervention on matters affecting their morale and productivity.
Earlier, the President of JUAC, Mrs. Rifkatu Iortyer, said the issues in dispute include the non-remittance of pension and National Housing Fund deductions, the non-payment of overheads, unlawful restrictions, the centralisation of salary preparation and payment, as well as the non-payment of officers of the Abuja Environmental Protection Board and the Social Development Secretariat engaged in law-enforcement duties.
