KEY POINTS
- FCT teachers have suspended their strike after intervention by the minister, Nyesom Wike
- A N5 billion monthly package was approved to address allowances and outstanding entitlements
- Teachers are to resume work immediately, with a warning that the strike may resume if agreements are not honoured
Primary and secondary school teachers in the Federal Capital Territory have suspended their ongoing strike following the intervention of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
The decision was announced by the State Wing Executive Council of the Nigeria Union of Teachers in the FCT after an emergency meeting held in Gwagwalada on Sunday.
According to the council’s chairman, Abdullahi Shafa, the suspension became necessary after reviewing commitments made by the minister to address the concerns that led to the industrial action, which began on April 20.
Shafa disclosed that the minister approved a monthly financial package totalling N5 billion to meet teachers’ outstanding demands.
He explained that N2 billion would be sourced from the FCT’s internally generated revenue, while an additional N3 billion would come from 10 percent of the IGR allocated to area councils.
The funds are expected to be used to implement the 40 percent peculiar allowance for primary school teachers and to clear pending entitlements.
Progress on promotions and welfare
Beyond financial commitments, the union also highlighted progress on promotion-related issues, noting that the minister had pledged to engage the FCT Civil Service Commission to remove the vacancy requirement that has hindered teacher promotions.
He added that the 2024 promotion exercise would also be reviewed to address outstanding concerns among teachers.
Following the agreement, the union directed all teachers in primary and secondary schools across the FCT to resume duties on Monday, April 27.
Shafa stressed that no teacher should face any form of victimisation for participating in the strike, assuring members of continued protection by the union.
However, he warned that the union would not hesitate to reconsider its position if the FCT administration fails to fulfil its commitments.
The union leadership commended teachers for their unity and resilience during the strike, reaffirming its commitment to improving working conditions and welfare for educators in the territory.
The suspension of the strike is expected to bring relief to students and parents, restoring normal academic activities across schools in the FCT.