By Daniel Tyokua
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, the Council chairmen, Nigeria Union of Teachers and the National Association of Nigerian Students have begun discussion on resolving the ongoing teachers’ strike.
This follows a meeting between the minister and leaders of the group, held at the minister’s official residence in Abuja.
Primary school teachers in the territory had on March 24, 2025 embarked on strike to press for implementation of a tripartite agreement signed in December, 2024.
The agreement include a ₦70,000 minimum wage for teachers, payment of 25%–35% salary arrears, a 40% peculiar allowance, the ₦35,000 wage award announced by the Federal Government, and several years’ promotion arrears.
Speaking on behalf of other council chairmen after the meeting, Chairman of Abaji Area Council, Abubakar Abdullahi said the minister had resolved to withdraw 10% of the Area Councils’ internally generated revenue (IGR) for the next six months to pay the teachers.
Abdullahi said the step is painful for the chairmen but said they had accepted it in good faith.
“We have a meeting with the minister, the leadership of the NUT, and the Area Council Chairmen. Resolutions were passed, although they did not favour the Chairman, as our six months’ IGR has been entirely committed to settling this issue.
“Our plea to the NUT is to consider our children and call off the strike. The minister clearly stated that, legally, he has no right to withhold 10% of the Area Councils’ IGR to pay NUT debts. But by God’s grace, the Chairman agreed, in the interest of peace and education, to release that amount.
“We hope that before the close of work today, the union will call off the strike, and by tomorrow, our children will return to school,” he said.
For NANS President, Olushola Ladoja, the teachers had requested 70% payment of the owed salaries and arrears, which all parties agreed to look into.
He added that a committee had been set up to address remaining issues and report back within two weeks.
“During the meeting, the NUT proposed receiving 70% of the owed sum. Based on calculations of the IGR, it was confirmed that this amount could be covered. The Hon. Minister has directed that the council chairmen’s IGR be used for this purpose and pleaded with the teachers to call off the strike.
“He also constituted a committee, which includes NANS, to look into other unresolved demands within two weeks,” Ladoja said.
He commended the minister’s intervention, despite the legal constraints surrounding the use of council funds.
Abdullahi Shafas, FCT NUT Chairman, said the union will summon a State Wing Executive Council meeting to take an action based on the discussions.
