The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has suspended its indefinite strike in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), directing affected workers, particularly primary and secondary school teachers, to resume duties on Wednesday, October 21, 2026.

The decision followed negotiations between organised labour and the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) over longstanding disputes concerning teachers' promotions, career progression and administrative policies.

The Chairman of the NLC FCT Council, Knabayi Adalo, announced the suspension in a communiqué issued on Tuesday, October 20, following an emergency meeting of the union's State Executive Council at the Labour House in Abuja.

According to Adalo, the decision was reached after conciliatory discussions involving the NLC, the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), the FCTA and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.

He explained that the parties reached agreements on several issues that prompted the industrial action, which began on October 7 after the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued to the FCT authorities.

Under the agreement, promotion vacancies for education officers will be aligned with established positions declared by the FCT Education Secretariat.

The union also noted that the expected retirement of some senior officers would create opportunities for eligible teachers and education personnel to advance in their careers.

On the disputed 2025 promotion examination, the NLC disclosed that a new date would be announced to enable qualified candidates to participate, following approval by the FCT Executive Council and communication with the FCT Civil Service Commission.

The parties also agreed to suspend the process of redeploying officers benefiting from the Harmonised Retirement Age for Teachers back into classrooms, pending further directives.

Adalo said the agreements represented progress towards addressing the concerns raised by teachers over career stagnation and other administrative decisions affecting their professional development.

However, the labour leader warned that the strike would resume automatically without further notice if the FCTA or other relevant authorities failed to implement the resolutions.

He disclosed that the NLC would establish a monitoring committee to oversee compliance with the agreements and ensure that the commitments were fulfilled within the agreed timelines.

The union also secured assurances that workers and teachers who participated in the industrial action would not face victimisation, disciplinary penalties or other forms of retaliation.

The strike had generated tension between organised labour and the FCT administration, with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, previously questioning the motives behind the industrial action and threatening to enforce the no-work, no-pay policy.

The NLC, however, maintained that its demands were aimed at addressing unresolved welfare concerns and improving career progression for teachers in the territory.

Adalo commended the affected workers for their solidarity throughout the industrial action and acknowledged the roles played by the FCTA, the Ministry of Labour and the teachers' unions in reaching the agreement.

With the suspension taking effect, affected teachers and other workers have been directed to return to their duty posts, while attention shifts to the implementation of the agreements reached during negotiations.