After three months of disrupted learning, primary school teachers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) may soon return to classrooms following the decisive intervention of FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
The breakthrough was announced in Abuja on Tuesday by the Chief of Staff to the Minister, Mr. Chidi Amadi, shortly after a closed-door meeting involving key stakeholders. Present at the meeting were Area Council Chairmen, leaders of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), FCT Administration officials, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANs), and National Assembly representatives.
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Amadi revealed that the minister had summoned the meeting to find a lasting solution to the lingering teachers’ strike, which began in March 2025 over issues of unpaid minimum wage, salary arrears, and allowance delays.
Key Resolutions:
Withholding of 10% IGR: Area councils agreed to withhold their Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) for six months to cover 70% of the outstanding minimum wage owed to teachers.
- Formation of Special Committee: A special committee—comprising members of NUT, FCTA, Area Council Chairmen, and NANs—will be set up to resolve all remaining issues within two weeks.
- Minister’s Personal Commitment: Wike pledged to address not only the concerns of teachers but also those of local government workers, ensuring full resumption of council operations.
Area Councils React:
Speaking on behalf of the chairmen, Mr. Abubakar Abdullahi noted that although the resolution wasn’t in the council’s financial favour, the collective priority is for children to return to school. He urged NUT to consider the students’ future and officially call off the strike.
- “Six months of our IGR has been withheld to resolve this issue. We’re pleading with the teachers to return to class. The minister has done his part,” Abdullahi stated.
He also confirmed that although Wike has no legal authority to take the council’s IGR, all chairmen voluntarily agreed to the sacrifice in the spirit of peace.
Students’ Body and Union Leaders Speak:
Olushola Oladoja, President of NANs, praised the minister’s courage, emphasizing that the chairmen’s voluntary agreement underscores their dedication to resolving the crisis.
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On the union’s side, NUT Chairman, Mohammed Shafa, acknowledged the meeting’s resolutions but said the final decision lies with the NUT State Executive Council, which will deliberate and announce a position soon.
Background:
FCT primary school teachers went on strike in March 2025 over multiple unmet demands, including:
- Non-payment of minimum wage
- Non-implementation of 25% and 35% salary increases
- Non-payment of 40% peculiar allowance
- Delayed N35,000 wage award
- Outstanding 2022 entitlements
With this latest development, optimism is growing that FCT schools will reopen by Friday, bringing relief to thousands of parents and students affected by the industrial action.
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