Primary school teachers under the Local Education Authority (LEA) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have been directed to resume their strike from Monday, March 24, 2025, following the failure of council chairmen to implement the new N70,000 minimum wage as promised.
The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) FCT wing made this decision after an emergency State Wing Executive Council (SWEC) meeting held on Sunday at the Teachers’ House in Gwagwalada. The meeting was convened to address the unresolved issue of the unpaid minimum wage, which led to the suspension of the strike in February 2025.
The dispute between the teachers and the FCT authorities began earlier this year when the union agreed to suspend its strike on February 21, 2025, after receiving assurances from the council chairmen that the new minimum wage would be implemented in the February salary payment. However, when the salary was paid, it did not reflect the promised N70,000 new minimum wage, leaving teachers frustrated and disappointed.
Comrade Abdullahi Mohammed Shafas, the FCT NUT Chairman, addressed journalists after the meeting, expressing the union’s dismay over the council chairmen’s failure to fulfill their promise. According to Shafas, the teachers were expecting the new minimum wage to be implemented immediately in February, but instead, the council paid salaries without the new wage, an action the union found both disturbing and insensitive.
“The February salary was paid without incorporating the new wage, which is disheartening,” Shafas said. “This move shows a lack of sympathy, empathy, and sensitivity to the plight of primary school teachers in the FCT.”
The teachers had been hopeful that the suspension of the strike in February would bring an end to their struggles, but the non-implementation of the wage has now pushed them to resume their strike action, which will impact primary education across the six area councils of the FCT.
The union has made several demands in response to the failure to implement the new wage. These demands include:
- Immediate payment of the differential between the old and new salary-The teachers want the difference between their old salary and the new N70,000 minimum wage paid immediately, as agreed upon during negotiations.
- Payment of the March salary with the new minimum wage- The teachers are demanding that their March salary be paid according to the new wage structure.
- Payment of six months’ arrears of the minimum wage- The teachers want the outstanding arrears for the past six months to be paid, as agreed during negotiations.
- Implementation of other allowances and salary increases- The union is calling for the implementation of the 40% peculiar allowance, as well as a 25% and 35% increase in salaries, and the payment of a N35,000 wage award.
Shafas made it clear that the union would not back down until their demands were met, and he urged all members to comply with the directive to resume the strike. He also hinted that further instructions would be given in due course.
The decision to resume the strike is expected to have a significant impact on primary education across the six area councils in the FCT. The strike will disrupt classes in schools, leaving thousands of students without teachers until the issues are resolved.
The FCT education system has faced challenges in recent years, including underfunding, inadequate facilities, and low morale among teachers. The current wage dispute adds to the growing concerns about the quality of education in the FCT, as the ongoing strike threatens to derail efforts to improve the educational system.
Parents and guardians are already expressing concerns over the strike, as many rely on primary education in the FCT to provide their children with a solid foundation for their future. With the suspension of classes, many families fear that their children will fall behind in their studies.
The failure to implement the new minimum wage is seen by many as a failure of communication and follow-through by the FCT authorities. Efforts to reach the Chairman of the Kwali Area Council and Chairman of the FCT Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Danladi Chiya, for comment on the strike action were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to calls or text messages.
The lack of communication from the council chairmen has further frustrated the teachers, who feel that their concerns are being ignored. The union believes that the FCT authorities are not taking the plight of the teachers seriously, which is why the strike had to be resumed.
With the strike now in full force, the FCT NUT is calling on the government to urgently address the issues surrounding the non-payment of the minimum wage. The union has indicated that they are ready to engage in further negotiations with the authorities, but only if their demands are met promptly.
Teachers in the FCT have made it clear that they are determined to continue their strike until the government acts in accordance with the agreements made earlier. The union is hoping that the authorities will prioritize education and teachers’ welfare to ensure the smooth operation of the primary education system in the FCT.
The FCT government now faces the difficult task of resolving the dispute and ensuring that the teachers are paid what they are owed. If the situation remains unresolved, the strike could continue for an extended period, leaving the education system in further turmoil.
