FCT teachers’ strike: ASUSS orders members to ignore NUT, resume work

The Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS), FCT Chapter, has directed its members to ignore the indefinite strike declared by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and report to work.

ASUSS issued the directive on Wednesday after an emergency meeting of its State Executive Council to review the NUT’s decision to withdraw services across the Federal Capital Territory.

The union described the strike as premature, warning that it could disrupt academic activities and affect students.

ASUSS directed secondary school teachers, principals, vice-principals and education officers to keep schools open and continue normal academic and administrative activities.

It also urged parents and guardians to send their children to school, assuring them that learning would continue despite the dispute.

The union faulted some of the issues raised by NUT, including vacancies, promotion and the redeployment of directors in education agencies.

On vacancies, ASUSS said the requirement was part of the Public Service Rules governing establishment control and financial planning, arguing that any changes to career structures should be addressed through dialogue rather than industrial action.

On promotion, the union said the administrative issues had been resolved, adding that the 2025 promotion exercise would run alongside the 2026 cycle under the FCT Civil Service Commission, in line with circulars issued in September 2026.

ASUSS also maintained that the redeployment of education agency directors to classrooms was within management’s statutory powers and aimed at improving administrative efficiency.

The union further warned that the strike could disrupt the scheduled 2025/2026 promotion examinations for FCT Education Officers.

It therefore directed eligible officers to participate in the examinations according to the published timetable.

ASUSS instructed school administrators to monitor attendance, maintain a safe learning environment and disregard directives from what it described as unauthorised bodies where such instructions could disrupt the academic calendar.

The union called for dialogue among stakeholders, stressing that students should not bear the consequences of the dispute.