ASUSS Rejects NUT Strike, Directs FCT Teachers To Resume Classes

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.

The union further directed secondary school teachers and education officers to remain at work and continue their normal duties.

ASUSS described the strike as premature and potentially disruptive to the education of students across the territory, insisting that the academic future of pupils should not be sacrificed over unresolved industrial disagreements.

The position was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by the union’s State Executive Council (SEC) after an emergency meeting convened to review the NUT’s decision.

While dissociating itself from the industrial action, ASUSS also faulted some of the issues raised by the NUT, particularly those relating to vacancies, promotion exercises and the redeployment of directors of education agencies.

On the issue of vacancies, ASUSS maintained that the requirement remains a statutory provision under the Public Service Rules (PSR), which guides establishment control and financial planning in the public service.

The union argued that any adjustment to existing career structures should be addressed through administrative dialogue and established procedures rather than industrial coercion.

ASUSS further stated that the administrative arrangements concerning the affected teachers had already been resolved, explaining that the 2025 promotion exercise would run concurrently with the 2026 promotion cycle under the FCT Civil Service Commission.

According to the union, the arrangement was contained in circulars issued in September 2026.

On the redeployment of directors of education agencies to classrooms, ASUSS said the decision fell within the statutory powers of management to ensure administrative efficiency and order.

The union also alleged that the NUT strike was aimed at disrupting the scheduled 2025/2026 promotion examinations for FCT Education Officers.

ASUSS therefore directed all eligible Education Officers to participate in the promotion examinations in accordance with the published timetable.

It also called on parents and guardians across the FCT to send their children to school, assuring them that academic activities would continue without interruption.

In specific directives to secondary school principals, vice-principals and education officers, ASUSS ordered all schools to remain open for academic and administrative activities.

The union directed teachers to report to their respective classrooms and carry out their normal teaching responsibilities, while urging school authorities to disregard directives from bodies it described as unauthorised and aimed at disrupting the academic calendar.

It further instructed school authorities to monitor attendance and maintain a safe and conducive learning environment, stressing that students should not become victims of what it described as unnecessary industrial disruptions.