FCT Teachers Call Off Strike After Landmark Payout

By Sofiat Adenekan

Following a protracted industrial action that began in March, public primary school teachers across the Federal Capital Territory are set to return to classrooms today, Wednesday, July 9.

The long-awaited breakthrough followed the intervention of the FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who forced the six Area Councils to release N16 billion from their internally generated revenue for the settlement of the arrears and minimum wage owed the teachers.

The decision to suspend the strike came late on Tuesday after the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), FCT chapter, confirmed that its members had started receiving payments reflecting the new minimum wage and five months of unpaid arrears — part of long-overdue commitments neglected by the Area Councils.

The strike, which began on March 24, 2025, was rooted in the failure of the Area Councils to honour a 2022 agreement covering wage awards, promotion arrears, and other key emoluments.

Teachers had endured months of silence and inaction from government officials until mounting pressure, fueled by public outcry and union resilience, finally forced a breakthrough.

In a communique released after an emergency session of its State Wing Executive Council (SWEC), the NUT confirmed the release and disbursement of N16 billion — representing six months’ worth of the Area Councils’ 10% Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

The funds were earmarked to settle the new minimum wage and a portion of outstanding arrears.

“The SWEC-In-Session resolved to suspend the strike action following the release and payment of the N16 billion into teachers’ accounts,” the communique read. It was jointly signed by FCT NUT Chairman, Abdullahi Shafas, State Secretary Margaret Jethro, and Publicity Secretary Ibukun Adekeye.

Teachers have been instructed to resume duties across all public primary schools in the FCT on Wednesday, July 9, even as the union continues to press for full settlement of remaining entitlements.

While the union welcomed Minister Wike’s intervention, it sharply criticised what it called the “chronic insensitivity and neglect” by education stakeholders and the Area Council leadership, accusing them of allowing the crisis to fester until the situation became untenable.

According to the union, the Minister’s decision to compel the Area Councils to surrender a portion of their IGR was the turning point.

Wike also proposed the formation of a dedicated committee to harmonize all outstanding payments and create a sustainable, long-term funding framework for primary education salaries in the FCT.

“The Honourable Minister acknowledged that while salary responsibility lies with the Area Councils, their revenue allocation remains inadequate. He therefore facilitated the release of six months’ worth of 10% IGR to bridge the funding gap,” the NUT explained.

In suspending the strike, the union extended deep appreciation to its members for their “unrelenting courage, unity, and discipline” throughout the standoff, and thanked traditional rulers, civil society groups, and concerned Nigerians who rallied behind the teachers’ cause.

The FCT strike marked one of the longest and most disruptive in recent history, highlighting chronic underfunding, governance failures, and broken promises within Nigeria’s basic education system.

While the suspension of the strike offers temporary relief, teachers say they will remain vigilant — and ready to act — if the government backslides again.