TUC Directs FCT Workers to Ignore NLC’s Indefinite Strike Order

The Trade Union Congress (TUC), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, has directed its members to disregard the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) directive for workers in the territory to embark on an indefinite strike over the dispute between the FCT Administration and the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT).

In a statement, the TUC FCT Council said it received a communique dated October 6, 2026, in which the NLC FCT Council directed public and private sector workers to begin an indefinite strike from Wednesday, October 7.

However, the TUC said the decision was taken without consultation with its leadership or any of its affiliated unions in the territory.

The council stated that it neither participated in the meeting that produced the directive nor took part in the decision to commence the industrial action. It consequently clarified that it was not a party to the strike.

The TUC stressed that disputes affecting workers, teachers and children should be handled through proper consultation and effective engagement rather than actions that could disrupt essential activities.

It therefore instructed all its affiliated unions and members in the FCT to continue their normal duties and businesses and report to work as usual.

The council also warned members against intimidation or coercion into participating in any industrial action that had not been approved by the TUC. It directed anyone facing such pressure to report the incident to its secretariat without delay.

In addition, the TUC instructed leaders of its affiliated unions to disregard any directive to establish enforcement committees unless such instructions came from the TUC FCT leadership.

Members were urged to remain calm, law-abiding and vigilant while awaiting further guidance from the council should the situation change.

The labour body expressed concern about the welfare of children, teachers and other workers in the territory, warning that industrial disputes should not deprive pupils of access to education.

It maintained that dialogue, consultation and established industrial relations procedures remained the appropriate means of resolving the disagreement between the FCT Administration and the NUT.

The council reiterated its willingness to support efforts to resolve the dispute while preventing further disruption to the education sector and the livelihoods of workers in the FCT.