The Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter, has declared that it will not participate in the ongoing strike action declared by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), citing legal backing and differences in welfare concerns.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja, ASUSS Chairman, Julius Ogundiran, said the union’s decision is grounded in constitutional provisions that guarantee freedom of association, stressing that its members cannot be compelled to join a strike declared by a union they do not belong to.
Ogundiran explained that the issues raised by the NUT primarily affect primary school teachers under the Area Councils and do not directly concern ASUSS members, who are secondary school teachers employed and paid by the FCT Administration.
“We are not under the Area Councils; our remuneration comes from the FCTA, and the issues raised do not directly affect us,” he said.
He added that many of the concerns relevant to ASUSS members, including wage-related matters and staffing issues, have either been addressed or are currently being handled by the FCT Administration, making industrial action unnecessary.
The ASUSS chairman also cited Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees the right to freedom of association, alongside Section 12(4) of labour laws, which prohibits forcing individuals to comply with decisions of organisations they are not affiliated with.
According to him, recent administrative steps—such as the phased release of promotion letters by the Office of the Head of Service in collaboration with relevant commissions—demonstrate ongoing efforts to resolve outstanding issues affecting teachers.
He further noted that interventions by the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC) have helped to address lingering concerns, reinforcing the union’s decision to remain at work.
Backing this position, ASUSS Secretary, Peter Afolayan, dismissed claims questioning the union’s legitimacy, affirming that ASUSS is a registered affiliate of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and remains committed to protecting the interests of secondary school teachers in the FCT.
With this stance, ASUSS has signaled that academic activities in FCT secondary schools will continue uninterrupted despite the wider strike by the NUT.