Academic union urges teachers and education officers to report to duty, warning that students should not suffer over industrial disputes
The Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Chapter, has rejected the indefinite strike declared by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), FCT Wing, directing its members to report to work and continue their normal duties.
The directive followed an emergency meeting of the ASUSS State Executive Council (SEC), where the union reviewed the NUT’s decision to withdraw services across the FCT.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, ASUSS described the strike as premature, warning that prolonged industrial action could disrupt academic activities and negatively affect students across the territory.
The union urged its members to disregard the stay-at-home directive, stressing that the academic future of students should not be sacrificed because of disagreements between stakeholders in the education sector.
ASUSS also responded to some of the issues raised by the NUT, particularly the requirement for vacancies as a condition for teachers’ promotion.
According to the union, the vacancy requirement remains part of the Public Service Rules governing establishment control and financial planning.
It argued that any proposed changes to career structures should be handled through dialogue and administrative engagement rather than industrial action.
On the 2025 promotion exercise, ASUSS said the matter had already been addressed administratively, 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.
ASUSS also maintained that the redeployment of directors in education agencies to classrooms falls within the statutory powers of management and is aimed at improving administrative efficiency.
The union further alleged that the strike could interfere with 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 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.
ASUSS also appealed to parents and guardians to continue sending their children to school, assuring them that academic activities would continue despite the ongoing disagreement with the NUT.
School authorities were further instructed to monitor attendance and maintain a safe and conducive learning environment.
The union urged school administrators to disregard directives from what it described as unauthorised bodies where such instructions could disrupt the academic calendar.
ASUSS called on all stakeholders to embrace dialogue and negotiation, insisting that the interests and academic future of students must remain the priority in resolving disputes within the FCT education sector.
