FCT Teachers’ Strike Nears Resolution As Wike Secures Agreement With Stakeholders.
Abuja, Nigeria – The prolonged teachers’ strike in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), which has disrupted primary education since March 2025, is on the verge of resolution following a crucial meeting convened by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike on Thursday, 3 July 2025. The closed-door discussions, held at the minister’s official residence in Abuja, brought together leaders of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), and chairmen of the six FCT Area Councils to address the grievances that have kept schools shuttered for months.
The teachers’ strike, now in its fourth month, stemmed from demands for the full implementation of a tripartite agreement signed on 11 December 2024. The agreement includes a ₦70,000 minimum wage for teachers, payment of 25%–35% salary arrears, a 40% peculiar allowance, a ₦35,000 wage award announced by the Federal Government, and the settlement of several years’ promotion arrears. The failure to meet these commitments led to widespread frustration, with pupils and parents bearing the brunt of the prolonged school closures.
During the meeting, Wike brokered a significant breakthrough by directing the deduction of 10% of the Area Councils’ internally generated revenue (IGR) for the next six months to fund the teachers’ demands. Speaking on behalf of the council chairmen, Abaji Area Council Chairman Abubakar Abdullahi confirmed that this financial arrangement would cover approximately 70% of the outstanding salaries and arrears, a proposal deemed viable by all parties. He urged the NUT to call off the strike, expressing hope that schools could reopen by Friday, allowing children to return to their classrooms.
NANS President Olushola Ladoja praised Wike’s intervention, noting that the minister’s decision to redirect council funds, despite legal constraints, demonstrated a commitment to resolving the crisis. A special committee, comprising representatives from the NUT, FCTA, Area Councils, and NANS, was established to address remaining issues, with a mandate to submit a report within two weeks. This committee will ensure that all outstanding entitlements, including those of other local government employees, are fully resolved.
FCT NUT Chairman Abdullahi Shafas acknowledged the progress made during the discussions but stated that the union would convene a State Wing Executive Council meeting to deliberate on the agreement and decide on the next steps. The union’s cautious optimism reflects the deep-seated concerns of teachers, who have endured multiple strikes over the past year due to unpaid wages and allowances.
The resolution comes after earlier interventions by Wike, including a proposed bailout where the FCTA would cover 60% of the arrears and the Area Councils the remaining 40%. When this arrangement faltered, Wike withheld the councils’ IGR for May and June, redirecting those funds to address the teachers’ demands. The minister’s decisive actions have been commended by stakeholders, with NANS describing the outcome as a step towards ensuring no child is denied education due to administrative lapses.
The prolonged strike has highlighted broader challenges in Nigeria’s education system, with critics pointing to the Area Councils’ failure to prioritise teachers’ welfare despite operating under full local government autonomy. The intervention has also drawn support from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), which had threatened to shut down the FCT if the crisis remained unresolved beyond 3 July.
As the NUT prepares to make its final decision, parents and students across the FCT are hopeful that this agreement will mark the end of the disruption. The commitment to addressing teachers’ welfare and reopening schools signals a renewed focus on education in the capital, with Wike’s leadership paving the way for a brighter future for FCT’s pupils.
