Two teachers groups in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are spoiling for a showdown over order on teachers to embark on strike in the territory.
While the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) ordered teachers at various public schools as well as education officer to embark on an indefinite strike, the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS) asked secondary school teachers and education officers to ignore the order and continue their normal duties.
The directive followed an emergency meeting of the ASUSS State Executive Council (SEC) of the FCT chapter to review the NUT’s decision to withdraw services in the territory.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, October 7, ASUSS described the strike as ‘premature’ and warned that the action could disrupt academic activities and affect students work negatively.
The union urged its members to disregard the stay-at-home directive by the NUT, insisting that the academic future of students should not be sacrificed because of an industrial dispute.
On vacancies, the union said the requirement remains part of the Public Service Rules (PSR) governing establishment control and financial planning.
It argued that any changes to career structures should be addressed through dialogue and administrative engagement rather than industrial action.
On promotion, ASUSS said the administrative arrangements had already been resolved, noting that the 2025 promotion exercise would run alongside the 2026 promotion cycle under the FCT Civil Service Commission, in line with circulars issued in September 2026.
The union also maintained that the redeployment of directors in education agencies to classrooms was within the statutory powers of management to ensure administrative efficiency.
ASUSS further alleged that the strike could disrupt the scheduled 2025/2026 promotion examinations for FCT Education Officers.
It therefore directed all eligible education officers to participate in the examinations according to the published timetable.
The union also appealed to parents and guardians to send their children and wards to schools, assuring them that academic activities would continue.
ASUSS directed principals, vice-principals and education officers to keep secondary schools open, ensure teachers report to their classrooms and maintain normal academic and administrative activities.
The union also maintained that the redeployment of directors in education agencies to classrooms was within the statutory powers of management to ensure administrative efficiency.
ASUSS also addressed the issues raised by the NUT, including vacancies, promotion and the redeployment of education agency directors.
