FCT Teachers Halt Strike Following Wike’s ₦5 Billion Intervention

The State Wing Executive Council of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in the Federal Capital Territory has announced the immediate suspension of its strike action involving both primary and secondary school teachers.

According to Ireporter Online, the decision was made public on Sunday by the council’s chairman, Abdullahi Shafa, during a press briefing in Gwagwalada. He explained that the resolution followed an emergency meeting convened to evaluate the recent intervention by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, in the industrial dispute that began on April 20, 2026.

Shafa stated that after reviewing the minister’s commitments, the council agreed to call off the strike in the broader interest of students and the stability of the education sector. Central to the resolution was the minister’s approval of a monthly financial package totaling ₦5 billion aimed at addressing teachers’ welfare and settling outstanding entitlements.

He noted that the funding structure includes ₦2 billion to be sourced monthly from the FCT’s Internally Generated Revenue, alongside an additional ₦3 billion drawn from the 10 percent IGR allocation to Area Councils. The funds are intended to facilitate the implementation of a 40 percent peculiar allowance and clear pending obligations owed to primary school teachers.

On issues of career progression, the union disclosed that the minister had pledged to engage with the FCT Civil Service Commission to resolve longstanding promotion concerns. This, Shafa said, would involve eliminating vacancy limitations tied to promotions and revisiting the 2024 promotion exercise.

Following the development, the union directed all affected teachers across the FCT to return to classrooms, with resumption scheduled for Monday, April 27.

The chairman also warned against any form of victimisation of teachers who participated in the strike, emphasizing that the union would strongly resist any punitive measures. He added that the council retains the right to review its stance should the FCT administration fail to fulfill its commitments.

The NUT leadership commended members for their unity throughout the industrial action and reiterated its dedication to advancing teachers’ welfare and working conditions. The suspension of the strike is expected to restore normal academic activities across public schools in the Federal Capital Territory.