FCT Teachers End 3-Month Strike After Wike’s ₦16 Billion Bailout

After over three months of industrial action, primary school teachers under the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) branch of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) have officially suspended their strike and are set to resume work on Wednesday, July 9, 2025. The decision to end the strike followed a key stakeholders’ meeting convened by the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, held on Thursday, July 3, to address the prolonged crisis.

The union, in a communiqué dated July 4 and made public on Tuesday, announced that Minister Wike’s financial intervention had provided a sufficient basis for the temporary suspension of the strike. The strike, which began on March 24, stemmed from unpaid salary arrears and the failure of local authorities to implement the new national minimum wage for teachers in the territory.

As part of the resolution, the FCT Minister directed that 10 percent of the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from the six Area Councils be allocated toward clearing outstanding salaries. This translated into a ₦16 billion bailout package meant to alleviate the financial burden on teachers.

According to the communique jointly signed by NUT Chairman Abdullahi Shafas, State Secretary Margaret Jethro, and Publicity Secretary Ibukun Adekeye, the decision to call off the strike was reached after a State Wing Executive Council (SWEC) meeting. The union acknowledged the receipt of five months’ salary arrears and confirmed that the implementation of the new minimum wage had commenced.

“Consequent upon the implementation of the new minimum wage and payment of five months’ arrears into the teachers’ accounts today, 8th July 2025, the SWEC hereby suspends the ongoing strike action and appeals to all primary school teachers in the FCT to return to the classrooms starting Wednesday, 9th July 2025,” the statement read.

The NUT, while expressing cautious optimism, emphasized that it would continue to monitor the situation to ensure that all pending entitlements are fully paid. It also expressed deep appreciation to its members for their resilience throughout the industrial action.

The union extended gratitude to traditional rulers in the FCT, civil society organisations, and the national leadership of both the NUT and Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) for their solidarity and support during the crisis. With schools set to reopen and teachers returning to the classrooms, the FCT education system is expected to resume full academic activities as the government begins phased implementation of its financial commitments.