Wike’s Intervention Paves Way For FCT Primary School Teachers To End Strike

The prolonged strike by primary school teachers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is set to end soon, following decisive intervention by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.

This was disclosed by the Minister’s Chief of Staff, Chidi Amadi, in Abuja on Thursday after a closed-door meeting involving area council chairmen, the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), officials of the FCT Administration, representatives of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANs), and members of the National Assembly.

Amadi explained that the meeting was convened by the minister as part of sustained efforts to permanently resolve the teachers’ three-month strike. After extensive deliberations, it was agreed that the FCT would withhold six months’ worth of the area councils’ 10% Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to settle about 70% of the minimum wage arrears owed to the teachers.

“This will not cover all the debts, but it addresses around 70%, marking a significant step towards ending the dispute,” Amadi said.

Additionally, Wike directed the formation of a special committee—comprising members of the NUT, FCTA, area council leadership, and NANs—to review other outstanding issues and submit a report within two weeks on how to fully resolve them.

Speaking on behalf of the area council chairmen, Abubakar Abdullahi acknowledged that while the decision was financially tough on the councils, it was necessary to bring the crisis to an end. He appealed to the NUT to urgently suspend the strike for the sake of the children.

“Though by law, the minister cannot seize our 10% IGR, we have all agreed to this measure because we want our children back in school,” he said.

Similarly, the National President of NANs, Olushola Oladoja, praised the resolution and commended Wike’s bold approach, adding that the chairmen’s willingness to concede the funds showed a genuine commitment to education.

On his part, NUT Chairman Mohammed Shafa confirmed that the union would consult its State Executive Council to reach a final decision.

The teachers had embarked on the strike in March over unpaid minimum wage adjustments, the non-implementation of 25% and 35% salary increments, non-payment of a 40% peculiar allowance, the N35,000 wage award, and outstanding entitlements agreed upon since 2022.