ABUJA — Public primary and secondary school teachers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), under the aegis of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), have commenced an indefinite strike following the failure of authorities to address outstanding welfare demands.
The decision was reached at an emergency meeting of the union’s State Wing Executive Council (SWEC), held at the FCT Teachers’ House in Gwagwalada.
In a communiqué signed by the State Chairman, Abdullahi M. Shafa, the union said the action followed the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum earlier issued to the FCT Administration, alongside an additional 28-day grace period, without any tangible response.
The union acknowledged the intervention of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, particularly in facilitating the implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage and payment of nine months’ arrears owed to primary school teachers.
It, however, expressed concern over the continued delay in addressing other critical issues, notably the non-release and implementation of the report of a committee set up in July 2025 to harmonise outstanding entitlements and recommend a lasting framework for resolving recurring disputes involving teachers in the territory.
According to the union, the committee concluded its assignment and submitted its report in August 2025, but it has yet to be made public.
The teachers also faulted the use of “vacancies” as a precondition for promotion, calling for a comprehensive review of the 2024 promotion exercise conducted by the FCT Civil Service Commission to allow eligible teachers advance without hindrance.
Describing the silence of authorities as unacceptable, the union warned that the situation poses a threat to the stability of the education sector in the FCT.
The NUT directed all public primary and secondary school teachers to comply with the strike action, while advising parents to keep their children and wards at home pending further directives.
The communiqué was also signed by the State Secretary, Margaret F. Jethro, and the State Publicity Secretary, Ibukun Adekeye.
