ABUJA, Nigeria — Members of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) on Monday disrupted the commencement of the 2025 Civil Service promotion examinations, preventing the Chairman of the FCT Civil Service Commission, Mr. Emeka Ezeh, from addressing candidates at the examination venue.
The protest, led by the FCT NUT leadership, saw thousands of teachers from junior and senior secondary schools across the six area councils converge at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) along the Kubwa Expressway in Abuja.
Teachers Block Commission Chairman
Witnesses said the teachers gathered early at the entrance of the lecture hall, chanting solidarity songs as part of their protest.
Mr. Emeka Ezeh, who arrived at the venue at approximately 8:12 a.m. under police escort, was reportedly prevented from entering the lecture hall where civil servants had assembled to write the 2025 promotion examination.
The commission chairman was accompanied by armed police officers but was unable to address the candidates as planned after protesters blocked access to the hall.
Security Presence at Examination Venue
Following the confrontation, Ezeh was seen leaving the entrance area alongside the security personnel before making his way toward the examination hall through another route.
Despite the heavy security presence, the protesting teachers maintained their demonstration, singing union songs and demanding attention to their grievances.
The exact issues that prompted Monday’s protest were not immediately disclosed, and officials of the FCT Civil Service Commission had yet to issue an official statement at the time of filing this report.
The incident temporarily disrupted activities at the examination centre, drawing the attention of candidates and security personnel stationed at the venue.
