Scores of teachers under the Nigeria Union of Teachers staged a protest on Monday in Abuja over delays in the 2024 promotion exercise.
The teachers gathered at the National Open University of Nigeria along the Kubwa Expressway, demanding the immediate conclusion of the promotion process.
The protesters accused the authorities of delaying their career progression despite meeting all the requirements for promotion.
They carried placards calling for the immediate release of their promotion letters.
Some of the placards read, “Complete the 2024 promotion exercise now,” “Teachers are not pool staff,” and “Our services count, not empty chairs.”
The teachers also rejected the “vacancy rule,” which they said civil service authorities use to deny eligible officers promotion even after they pass the required examinations.
Union leaders said hundreds of qualified teachers have remained on the same grade level for years because of delays in the promotion process.
They argued that the prolonged delays have affected staff morale and reduced productivity in public schools across the Federal Capital Territory.
The union demanded the immediate release of all outstanding 2024 promotion letters.
It also called for the full financial implementation of the promotions and the payment of all outstanding entitlements owed to affected teachers.
The protesters warned that they would continue the demonstration and withdraw their services until the Federal Capital Territory Administration and relevant civil service authorities address their demands.
