The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has thrown its weight behind the nationwide strike declared by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), while calling for the immediate release of all kidnapped pupils, students and teachers across the country.
The labour movement said the industrial action became inevitable following persistent attacks on schools and the rising wave of abductions targeting educators and learners, which have left teachers increasingly vulnerable and fearful for their safety.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, NLC President Joe Ajaero said the strike should serve as a strong signal to federal and state governments to treat the security of schools as an urgent national priority before more lives are endangered.
According to the union president, the action reflects the determination of teachers to protect themselves in the face of growing insecurity, as criminal gangs continue to target education workers and schoolchildren for ransom.
“The action equally represents a gentle but unignorable nudge on the governments to take more seriously the growing insecurity industry,” he said.
Ajaero added that the strike should serve as a wake-up call to authorities at all levels to take decisive steps to secure learning institutions and safeguard those within them.
He described the teachers’ action as a measured but firm protest against the worsening security situation, warning that continued failure to protect schools would come at a heavy cost to the country’s human capital and long-term stability.