The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) education sector has been thrown into controversy following allegations that about 360 education directors, school principals and other senior officers have been redeployed to classroom teaching in Junior Secondary Schools (JSS).
The affected officers have described the development as an alleged act of victimisation, unlawful redeployment and political persecution, expressing concerns that the decision could undermine their career progression and leave many facing prolonged stagnation.
According to a report by SaharaReporters, an affected director who spoke anonymously disclosed that approximately 360 officers were involved in the exercise. Those affected reportedly include principals, deputy principals, deputy directors and directors.
The source, who is due to turn 60 in November 2026, expressed concern that the redeployment had created uncertainty for officers approaching retirement, particularly those yet to begin service elongation under the Harmonised Retirement Age for Teachers Act.
The law allows eligible teachers to retire at 65 years of age or after 40 years of service, subject to the applicable provisions.
The director alleged that officers scheduled to retire between October and December 2026 were excluded from the service elongation process, questioning why serving directors and other senior education officials were being reassigned to classroom duties.
“The policy allowing teachers to retire at 65 did not expressly provide for demotion of officers seeking extension,” the source said.
A redeployment letter dated September 7, 2026, reportedly conveyed the approval of the FCT Minister for the transfer of a principal to teach History.
The letter, referenced FCT/EDU/PS/S.2307/1/11 and signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Education Secretariat, Joy Okeke, directed the affected officer to report to the school principal with immediate effect.
It also instructed the officer to hand over responsibilities to the most senior officer on or before September 15, 2026.
NUT, NLC REJECT DIRECTIVE, INSIST ON INDEFINITE STRIKE
The controversy has further intensified tensions within the FCT education sector, with the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), FCT State Secretariat, condemning the alleged demotions and directing teachers to disregard a Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB) instruction reportedly asking them to ignore the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) strike.
In a statement, the NUT called on primary and secondary school teachers across the territory to participate fully in the indefinite industrial action, which commenced on October 7, 2026.
The union described the NLC’s directive as lawful and binding, citing Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution and Section 35 of the Trade Unions Act in defence of workers’ rights to organise and participate in lawful trade union activities.
Among its key demands, the NUT called for the removal of the vacancy requirement affecting teachers’ promotions, the completion of the 2023, 2024 and 2025 promotion exercises, and the official reinstatement of all directors allegedly redeployed or demoted.
The NLC FCT Council has also maintained its position, directing workers across public and private sectors in the territory to join the indefinite strike.
In a communiqué issued after its State Executive Council meeting on October 6, 2026, the council announced that the industrial action would begin on October 7. The communiqué was signed by its chairman, Comrade Knabayi S. Adalo.
The labour body said the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) had failed to provide a satisfactory response to a seven-day ultimatum issued on September 8, 2026.
The ultimatum reportedly demanded the removal of the vacancy requirement for promotions, a review of teachers eligible for promotion in 2025, the withdrawal of redeployment letters and the dissolution of the management teams of the FCT Secondary Education Board and UBEB.
According to the NLC, the administration’s response was ambiguous and unacceptable, leaving the union with little choice but to proceed with the strike.
The council lamented that teachers in the FCT had continued to face career stagnation, demoralisation and humiliation despite years of service and commitment to the education system.
An affected director described the promotion situation as unprecedented, questioning why teachers who performed well in promotion assessments were still being denied advancement.
“If somebody can score 85 percent and is still not promoted, there is something wrong,” the director said.
The dispute has placed renewed attention on promotion procedures, staff redeployment and the treatment of senior education officers within the FCT administration.
The NLC has warned against any attempt to victimise workers for participating in the industrial action. It also directed its affiliate unions to mobilise their members and sustain the strike until the outstanding demands are addressed.
The council called for the continued closure of offices, schools, hospitals and other government establishments until an acceptable resolution is reached.
As the dispute continues, the central issues remain the alleged demotion of senior education officials, delays in promotion exercises and the unions’ demand for the withdrawal of disputed redeployment decisions.
The allegations against the FCT administration and the minister remain allegations as presented in the report; an independent response from the officials concerned was not included in the material provided.
