There is hope that the three-month-long strike by primary school teachers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will soon be called off, following the intervention of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
The strike, which began in March, was over unpaid salaries, non-payment of the minimum wage, and other outstanding entitlements. Teachers under the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), FCT chapter, had vowed not to return to classrooms until their demands were met.
However, a closed-door meeting held on Tuesday in Abuja may have brought an end to the impasse. The meeting, convened by Wike, brought together Area Council Chairmen, NUT leaders, FCT Administration representatives, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANs), and the National Assembly.
Chief of Staff to the Minister, Mr. Chidi Amadi, said that as part of the resolutions reached, the government will withhold six months’ worth of the area councils’ 10% Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to pay about 70% of what is owed to the teachers.
“Although it won’t cover everything, this is a big step toward settling the matter once and for all,” Amadi said.
He also announced the setting up of a special committee with representatives from the NUT, FCTA, the council chairmen, and NANs. The committee is expected to address all outstanding issues and submit a report within two weeks.
Speaking on behalf of the council chairmen, Mr. Abubakar Abdullahi said the decision to release the IGR was not easy but necessary for the sake of the students.
“We are appealing to the NUT to call off the strike so that our children can return to school,” he said.
The National President of NANs, Olushola Oladoja, praised the minister’s bold move and said the students are hopeful that teachers will return to class before Friday.
The NUT Chairman, Mohammed Shafa, confirmed the resolutions but said the final decision would come from the union’s State Executive Council.
The teachers’ demands included full implementation of the minimum wage, 25% and 35% salary increases, 40% peculiar allowance, and a N35,000 wage award.
If the agreement holds, public primary schools across the FCT could reopen before the end of the week.