Following the suspension of almost a four-month strike by members of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter, academic activities have resumed in Public primary schools.
The teachers ended the strike on the intervention of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and upon receiving the new minimum wage.
The strike, which began on March 24, 2025, was triggered by the non-implementation of a 2022 agreement, including promotion arrears, wage awards, and salary adjustments.
The deadlock was broken after the six area councils released N16 billion, six months of their 10 percent Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), to cover the new minimum wage and partial arrears.
In a communique, the NUT said: “Consequent upon the implementation of the new minimum wage and payment of five months’ arrears into teachers’ accounts today, July 8, 2025, the SWEC hereby suspends the ongoing strike action.”
Parents welcomed the reopening but lamented the prolonged disruption, “My child lost valuable learning time. The government must prioritise education to avoid another strike,” said Mr. Ibrahim Musa, whose son attends Dutse Baupma Primary School.
The primary school pupils are excited to return, and schools are expected to adjust schedules to cover lost ground ahead of terminal examinations.
While primary schools across the nation’s capital began to function as pupils returned, the teachers expressed cautious optimism that the government would fulfil the remaining promises, including the arrears and a sustainable salary structure.
Ms. Comfort, a teacher at LEA Primary School Bmuko, said, “We are happy to be back, but we are watching closely. The government has started paying the minimum, but what about the over nine-month arrears?”
“We are yet to receive the arrears that they owe us. We need assurances that all our entitlements will be settled, not just partial payments.”
A senior teacher in LEA primary school, Dutse, Mr Okafor said, “The strike was painful, but necessary. Now that we have resumed, we expect the special committee proposed by the FCT Minister to work swiftly. Our promotions, allowances, and full arrears must be addressed without further delay.”
Also, Ms Grace Okon of Wuse Primary School expressed relief but urged sustained dialogue, “We appreciate Minister Wike’s intervention, but this should not be a one-time solution. Teachers need a permanent structure to prevent future strikes. Our children have suffered enough disruptions.”
- Flood Killed 236 Persons In Nigeria – NEMA 2025 Report - October 13, 2025
- President Tinubu Grants Posthumous Pardon To Macaulay, Vatsa Others - October 11, 2025
- Federal Govt Establishes New Negotiation Committee For Tertiary Institutions - October 8, 2025