FCTA Moves to End Teachers’ Strike as Wike Convenes High-Level Meeting with Stakeholders

By Sofiat Adenekan

In a major step toward resolving the lingering primary school teachers’ strike in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, has convened a high-level meeting on Thursday with key stakeholders, including leaders of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), and Chairmen of the six Area Councils.

The closed-door meeting, held at the Minister’s official residence, also had in attendance senior FCTA officials, including the Chief of Staff to the Minister, Hon. Chidi Amadi; the Head of Civil Service, and the Permanent Secretary of the FCTA Treasury, Alhaji Adamu Wanki.

Briefing the media after the meeting, Hon. Amadi described the discussions as fruitful and said concrete steps had been agreed upon to address the salary arrears that prompted the protracted strike action.

“The Honourable Minister summoned this urgent meeting to find a lasting solution to the industrial action that has disrupted learning across the FCT’s Area Council schools,” Amadi said. “Following exhaustive deliberations, the stakeholders reached a resolution. We believe this matter is now on a clear path to resolution.”

A key outcome of the meeting was the agreement to immediately pay approximately 70% of the outstanding salaries owed to primary school teachers. This will be facilitated through the deployment of the accrued Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the Area Councils over the past six months.

To address remaining issues, a special committee was constituted. The committee comprises representatives from the NUT (3), the FCTA (2), the Area Council Chairmen (1), and NANS (1). It is expected to present its final report within two weeks.

Amadi also disclosed that the FCT Minister had taken up the responsibility to resolve pending salary payments for members of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), as part of efforts to restore full administrative and academic normalcy across the Area Councils.

President of NANS, Olushola Ladoja, confirmed the decisions taken, noting that the NUT had proposed a 70% immediate payment of arrears during the meeting.

“Based on verified figures from the councils’ IGR, it was agreed that the amount is feasible. The Minister then directed the Area Council Chairmen to release the required funds,” he said.

Ladoja also welcomed the inclusion of NANS in the resolution committee, stating it would ensure youth and student voices are represented in shaping the path forward.

Speaking on behalf of the Area Council Chairmen, the Chairman of Abaji Area Council, Hon. Abubakar Umar Abdullahi, acknowledged the financial burden the agreement places on the councils but emphasized their collective commitment to restoring education services.

“We have agreed to allocate 10% of our IGR for the next six months toward this cause. Though it’s a tough decision, it’s one we’ve accepted in the interest of our children’s education,” he said. “We are hopeful that schools will reopen immediately.”

Responding to the agreement, the FCT NUT Chairman, Comrade Abdullahi Mohammed Shafa, said the union would need to undertake internal consultations before making a formal announcement on the suspension of the strike.

“We must engage with our internal organs, including the State Trustees, the Standing Committee, and the State Wing Executive Council, to ratify the decisions reached today,” he noted.

The meeting marks the most concrete step yet by the FCTA to end the months-long industrial action that has paralyzed primary school education in the territory, with all parties expressing cautious optimism for a resolution in the coming days.