The prolonged strike that has crippled public primary schools in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is now closer to resolution, as the FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike, sealed a fresh agreement with the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and Area Council Chairmen to clear the salary arrears and reopen schools without further delay.
In a statement jointly signed by NANS President, Comrade Olushola Oladoja, and National PRO, Comrade Adeyemi Samson Ajasa, on Wednesday, the students’ body confirmed it has suspended its planned mass protest following a series of intense engagements on Tuesday that unlocked a way forward.
According to the student leaders, the tripartite meetings began at the Department of State Services (DSS) Headquarters, continued with the Chairman of the House Committee on FCT, Hon. Muktar Aliyu Betara, and ended with direct commitments from Minister Wike.
“There’s no greater priority than getting our children back in the classroom,” the statement read. “After exhaustive discussions, we now have firm assurances that the salary backlog crisis that shut our schools will be resolved in days, not weeks.”
They explained that the FCT’s unique local government autonomy means the Area Councils alone bear responsibility for paying teachers’ salaries. However, in the spirit of finding solutions, Wike stepped in to approve a bailout covering 60% of the arrears while directing Area Councils to cover the remaining 40%.
“When that didn’t deliver as expected, the Minister withheld the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the Area Councils for May and June, ensuring funds are available to offset what is owed,” the statement noted.
The students hailed the decisive intervention and praised Hon. Betara for brokering the talks that ended the stalemate.
“With this breakthrough, we have suspended our planned protest at the FCTA Secretariat but we will not hesitate to mobilize again if this commitment is breached,” Oladoja warned. “No child should be denied education because of unresolved salaries. We expect concrete disbursement before the end of this week.”
A final stakeholders’ meeting involving NUT FCT, the FCT Minister, Area Council Chairmen, and NANS leadership has been scheduled for Thursday, July 4, to conclude arrangements for reopening all affected schools.
“We stand ready to defend the rights of Nigerian students anywhere, anytime. Aluta Continua, Victoria Ascerta!” the statement concluded.
