Secondary school teachers in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT), operating under the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS), have announced that they are not participating in the strike declared by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT).

The leadership of ASUSS clarified that the union is an independent body and is not bound by decisions taken by the NUT. As a result, members of the association are expected to continue their normal academic activities despite the ongoing industrial action.

The FCT ASUSS chairman, Julius Ogundiran, explained that many of the issues prompting the strike particularly those related to salaries and allowances are largely focused on primary school teachers and do not directly concern secondary school staff under the FCT education system.

He also emphasized that membership in labour unions is voluntary, and teachers cannot be forced to take part in a strike they did not approve. According to him, the union has been engaging relevant authorities on outstanding issues, with some progress already made, reducing the need for industrial action.

ASUSS therefore instructed its members to remain in their schools and continue teaching duties, while urging education authorities to ensure their safety and prevent any form of harassment or disruption.

The development highlights a clear split within the teaching workforce in the FCT, as secondary school teachers formally separate themselves from the NUT-led strike action.