FCT Primary School Teachers Suspend Three-Month Strike, Resume Today

Primary school teachers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have officially called off their three-month strike and will return to classrooms today, Wednesday, July 9, 2025, following the intervention of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.

The strike, which began on March 24, had paralyzed academic activities across public primary schools in the territory, with the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) insisting that teachers would not resume until their outstanding salaries were fully paid.

However, in a communiqué issued after an emergency meeting of the State Wing Executive Council (SWEC), the union announced the suspension of the industrial action. The decision was reached after a high-level stakeholder meeting convened by Minister Wike on July 3, 2025.

The meeting was attended by key players, including the Chairmen of the House Committees on FCT and Area Councils, the FCT Head of Service, Permanent Secretary of Treasury, NUT leadership, and other relevant stakeholders.

“Although the responsibility of paying teachers’ salaries lies with the Area Councils, the Minister acknowledged the councils’ financial constraints and acted swiftly to resolve the impasse,” the communiqué stated.

To this end, Minister Wike approved the release of N16 billion, representing six months’ worth of 10 percent of the FCT’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). The funds will cover the June 2025 salary under the new national minimum wage, as well as 60 percent of salary arrears spanning nine months.

The NUT FCT Chairman, Comrade Abubakar Shafa, confirmed that the union would continue to monitor the implementation of the agreement and ensure full payment of all outstanding entitlements.

“We acknowledge the minister’s timely intervention and the positive steps taken so far. Teachers will resume classes while we continue to engage with authorities to ensure that all obligations are fulfilled,” Shafa said.

Parents, pupils, and education stakeholders across the FCT have welcomed the news, hoping for uninterrupted learning going forward.