NLC Backs Teachers Strike, Demands Abducted Pupils Be Freed Now

ABUJA — The Nigeria Labour Congress has thrown its full support behind the ongoing teachers’ strike triggered by the wave of school abductions across the country. Punch Newspapers confirmed the NLC endorsement on Wednesday. The congress demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all abducted pupils and teachers and called for stronger security measures to protect schools.

NLC President Joe Ajaero said teachers should not be expected to go to work in conditions where they face the risk of abduction or death. He said the strike is not merely a labour action but a statement about the fundamental right of Nigerian children and their teachers to be safe in schools.

“We stand completely with our teachers. Education cannot happen under the barrel of a gun. Until the government can guarantee that teachers and students are safe, the strike continues,” Ajaero said at a press briefing in Abuja.

A Nationwide Strike

The Nigerian Union of Teachers had initially declared the strike in Oyo State following the Oriire abductions. However, solidarity strikes have since spread to other states where teacher unions have cited chronic security failures. NLC’s formal endorsement gives the strike a national organizational framework.

The federal government is under intense pressure from multiple fronts. CAN has declared a state of emergency over insecurity. The Senate has ordered tough responses. Oyo lawmakers have rejected negotiating with kidnappers. And now the NLC is backing a teachers strike that could disrupt education for millions of Nigerian students.

The Ministry of Education said it is in dialogue with teacher unions to resolve the strike. However, union leaders said dialogue must be accompanied by concrete security improvements, not just assurances. They said past government promises about school security have not been kept and that only demonstrable action will end the strike.