Affected education officers allege victimisation and illegal redeployment as the NLC and NUT demand the reinstatement of directors, removal of the promotion vacancy clause and resolution of outstanding teachers’ promotion exercises.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has been accused of victimising education officers following the alleged redeployment of about 360 directors, principals, deputy principals and deputy directors to classroom teaching positions in junior secondary schools across the territory.
The development has sparked concerns over the treatment of senior education administrators, teachers’ career progression and the implementation of promotion policies within the FCT education system.
According to a report by SaharaReporters, some of the affected officers described their redeployment as unjustified, alleging that the decision had undermined their professional status and raised concerns about their retirement benefits.
One of the affected directors, who spoke anonymously, said approximately 360 education officers had been affected by the exercise.
The director, who is due to attain the age of 60 in November, expressed concern over the situation, particularly for officers who had either commenced or were preparing to apply for an extension of their service.
According to the source, the authorities had indicated that officers due for retirement between October and December would not be included in the exercise.
However, the director questioned the basis for redeploying serving directors, arguing that the policy allowing teachers to retire at 65 years of age or after 40 years of service did not expressly provide for the demotion of officers seeking an extension of their service.
The affected officers have reportedly received their redeployment letters and are seeking a review of the decision. The source also disclosed that the relevant union had written to the FCT Head of Service, requesting intervention and the reinstatement of the affected directors to their former positions.
A letter obtained by SaharaReporters, dated September 7, 2026, and bearing reference number FCT/EDU/PS/S.2307/1/11, reportedly conveyed Wike’s approval for the redeployment of an affected principal to teach History at a junior secondary school.
The letter, issued by the Permanent Secretary of the Education Secretariat, Joy Okeke, directed the officer to report to the school principal for further instructions with immediate effect.
It stated that the redeployment was intended to enable the school to benefit from the officer’s professional experience and expertise accumulated over the years. The officer was also directed to hand over existing responsibilities to the most senior officer on or before September 15, 2026.
Beyond the redeployment controversy, the affected officers also raised concerns about the vacancy requirement for teachers’ promotions, arguing that qualified personnel should not be denied career advancement simply because positions are unavailable.
One of the sources cited the case of a staff member who reportedly scored nearly 85 per cent in a promotion examination but was denied promotion because no vacancy was available.
“If somebody can score 85 per cent and is still not promoted, there is something wrong,” the director said, according to SaharaReporters.
The source argued that promotion remains an important aspect of professional development and that teachers who meet the required criteria should have the opportunity to advance in their careers.
The controversy has further intensified the ongoing industrial dispute between the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and organised labour.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), FCT Council, directed workers in both the public and private sectors of the territory to embark on an indefinite strike following the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued to the FCT Administration.
In a communiqué issued after its State Executive Council meeting in Abuja on Monday, October 6, 2026, the council described the administration’s response to its demands as ambiguous and unacceptable.
The communiqué, signed by the NLC FCT Council Chairman, Comrade Knabayi S. Adalo, directed workers to commence the strike on Wednesday, October 7, 2026. The council also called for the closure of government offices, schools, hospitals and other public establishments until its demands were addressed.
The NLC said its demands included the removal of the vacancy requirement for teachers’ promotions and the reconsideration of teachers who were eligible for promotion in 2025 but had yet to participate in the promotion examination.
It called for the affected teachers to be allowed to sit the examination before or alongside candidates scheduled for the 2026 exercise.
The labour body also demanded the withdrawal of redeployment and demotion letters issued to directors covered by the Harmonised Retirement Age for Teachers Act, 2022, as well as the reinstatement of the affected officers.
Other demands included the dissolution of the management teams of the FCT Secondary Education Board (SEB) and the FCT Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB).
According to the NLC, the vacancy clause has contributed to prolonged career stagnation among teachers, while the administration’s response failed to adequately address the concerns raised by organised labour.
The council subsequently directed its affiliate unions to mobilise members for full compliance with the strike and establish enforcement committees to monitor participation. It also warned against the victimisation of workers for taking part in the industrial action.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), FCT State Secretariat, has condemned the alleged redeployment of education directors and urged teachers to disregard a directive by UBEB asking them to ignore the NLC’s strike instruction.
In a statement, the union directed teachers in primary and secondary schools across the territory to comply with the indefinite strike, which commenced on October 7, 2026.
The NUT described the NLC’s directive as lawful and binding, arguing that workers were entitled to participate in industrial action after the necessary procedures had been followed.
Citing Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, and Section 35 of the Trade Unions Act, the union maintained that workers’ rights to organise and participate in lawful union activities should be respected.
The union also argued that teachers should not be punished for complying with their union’s directives, insisting that the authorities should address the issues that prompted the strike rather than threaten workers with sanctions.
The NUT listed its major demands as the removal of the vacancy clause affecting teachers’ promotions, the conclusion of the 2023, 2024 and 2025 promotion exercises, and the reinstatement of directors who had allegedly been redeployed or demoted.
It urged the FCT Administration to engage with organised labour and resolve the dispute through dialogue, warning that intimidation and threats would not address the underlying problems.
The union consequently directed teachers in FCT primary and secondary schools to remain at home until the NLC FCT Council issued further instructions.
The dispute has raised concerns among teachers, parents and other stakeholders about the future of public education in the Federal Capital Territory, particularly as the strike threatens to disrupt academic activities.
While the affected officers are seeking a review of their redeployment, organised labour continues to press for changes to the promotion system and the resolution of outstanding grievances.
The unfolding situation has placed pressure on the FCT Administration and labour unions to find common ground and restore industrial harmony.
As the disagreement continues, the resolution of the disputed redeployments, promotion requirements and other outstanding demands remains central to efforts to restore normal school operations across the territory.
