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), directing secondary school teachers and education officers to resume their duties.
ASUSS issued the directive after an emergency meeting of its State Executive Council to deliberate on the NUT’s decision to withdraw services across the FCT.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the union described the strike as premature and warned that it could disrupt academic activities and negatively affect students.
ASUSS urged its members to disregard the stay-at-home directive, stressing that students should not bear the consequences of an industrial dispute.
The union also addressed concerns raised by the NUT over vacancies, promotions and the redeployment of directors in education agencies.
On vacancies, ASUSS said the existing requirements were based on the Public Service Rules governing establishment control and financial planning. It added that any proposed changes to career structures should be handled through dialogue and administrative engagement rather than industrial action.
On promotions, the union said the issues had already been resolved. It explained that the 2025 promotion exercise would be conducted alongside the 2026 cycle under the FCT Civil Service Commission, in line with circulars issued in September 2026.
ASUSS also defended the redeployment of directors in education agencies to classrooms, saying it fell within the statutory powers of management and was aimed at improving administrative efficiency.
The union further expressed concern 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 appealed to parents and guardians to send their children to school, assuring them that academic activities would continue.
It also 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.
The union called on all stakeholders to embrace dialogue, emphasising that students should not be made to suffer the consequences of disagreements within the FCT education sector.
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