The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Federal Capital Territory chapter, is expected to call off its three-month-old strike any moment from now, following a high-level intervention by FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
This was disclosed on Thursday by Mr. Chidi Amadi, Chief of Staff to the Minister, after a closed-door meeting in Abuja that brought together key stakeholders including the FCT Area Council Chairmen, the leadership of the NUT, officials of the FCT Administration, representatives of the National Assembly, and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).
The strike, which began in March, was driven by long-standing grievances over unpaid minimum wage arrears, salary increments, and allowances owed to primary school teachers in the FCT.
A Breakthrough Agreement
Amadi announced that the Minister had directed the withholding of 10% of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from each area council over the past six months. These funds, he said, would now be channelled to settle approximately 70% of the minimum wage arrears owed to the striking teachers.
“Although it will not cover 100 per cent of the debt for now, it will cover about 70 per cent,” Amadi stated, describing the move as a significant step toward resolving the impasse.
He revealed that a Special Committee would be constituted to address the remaining issues. The committee will include:
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3 members from NUT
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2 members from the FCT Administration
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1 representative of the Area Council Chairmen
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1 representative of NANS
The committee is expected to submit a comprehensive report within two weeks, detailing how to address all lingering demands of the teachers.
Minister Wike’s Personal Commitment
Amadi stressed that beyond the teachers’ demands, Minister Wike had pledged to personally oversee the resolution of all outstanding issues affecting local government employees across the FCT, aiming to restore full administrative and educational operations without further disruption.
“The minister pledged to personally intervene to ensure their demands are addressed,” he said.
Council Chairmen Make Concession
Speaking on behalf of the Area Council Chairmen, Mr. Abubakar Abdullahi admitted that the resolution to forfeit six months' worth of IGR was not ideal for the councils, but was accepted in the interest of the children’s education and the wider community.
“Wike had clearly stated that by law, he has no right to take the 10% IGR of the Area Councils to clear the outstanding debt of the teachers. However, the chairmen have all agreed because they also want an end to the strike,” Abdullahi said.
He pleaded with the NUT to acknowledge the sacrifice made and suspend the strike immediately.
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National President of NANS, Olushola Oladoja, also commended the resolution, calling it “bold and necessary.” He noted that the minister’s move, although legally contentious, was embraced by all parties involved to put an end to the crisis.
“Any of the council chairmen could have taken him to court. But because they also want peace, they conceded,” Oladoja observed.
NUT Response Pending
On his part, the FCT NUT Chairman, Comrade Mohammed Shafa, said the union appreciated the deliberations and would consult with the NUT State Executive Council for a final decision.
“The final decision lies with the State Executive Council,” he added, offering hope that the teachers could return to the classrooms before the end of the week.
Months of Unresolved Demands
The strike, which paralysed learning in public primary schools across the FCT since March, was rooted in a series of unmet demands. These include:
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Non-payment of the new national minimum wage
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Outstanding 25% and 35% salary increments
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Unpaid 40% peculiar allowances
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Non-payment of the ₦35,000 wage award
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Delay in implementing a template for resolving teacher entitlements agreed in 2022
The latest resolution offers a window of hope for thousands of pupils and parents who have been affected by the prolonged industrial action. If the NUT State Executive Council approves the agreement, classes are expected to resume immediately.
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