FCT Primary School Teachers Set to End 3-Month Strike After Wike Steps In

The long-standing strike by primary school teachers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is expected to be called off soon, following the intervention of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.

This development was revealed by the Minister’s Chief of Staff, Mr. Chidi Amadi, in Abuja on Thursday, after a closed-door meeting involving key stakeholders, including Area Council Chairmen, leaders of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), FCT Administration officials, representatives from the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANs), and members of the National Assembly.

Amadi explained that the meeting was part of the minister’s ongoing efforts to resolve the teachers’ strike, which has lasted for three months. According to him, a consensus was reached to address the major issues at the heart of the industrial action.

A significant part of the resolution involves withholding six months’ worth of 10% Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from the area councils. These funds will be redirected to settle approximately 70% of the outstanding minimum wage owed to the teachers.

“While this doesn’t completely clear the debt, it makes a significant impact. It’s a major step toward ending the crisis,” Amadi stated.

He further announced that a Special Committee will be formed to address the remaining unresolved issues. The committee will include representatives from the NUT, FCTA, area council leadership, and NANs, and is expected to submit a detailed report within two weeks.

Amadi added that the minister is also committed to resolving broader issues affecting local government workers, ensuring full functionality across all area councils.

Speaking for the area council chairmen, Mr. Abubakar Abdullahi acknowledged that the resolution was tough on the councils but necessary. “We are sacrificing six months of our IGR to settle this matter. We appeal to NUT to consider the future of our children and suspend the strike,” he said.

He emphasized that the minister acted beyond his legal powers by directing the use of council IGR, but the chairmen agreed unanimously in the interest of peace and education.

NANs President, Olushola Oladoja, praised the outcome, commending both the minister’s leadership and the area councils’ willingness to make financial sacrifices. He noted that while Wike technically overstepped, the collective agreement showed a shared commitment to resolving the crisis.

NUT Chairman, Mohammed Shafa, acknowledged the proposals and confirmed that he would relay the outcomes to the union’s State Executive Council, where a final decision would be made.

The teachers had downed tools since March, protesting the non-payment of the minimum wage, failure to implement 25% and 35% salary increments, non-payment of a 40% peculiar allowance, the N35,000 wage award, and a 2022 agreement on pending entitlements.