The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has issued a stern warning to the six Area Council Chairmen over their failure to resolve the ongoing strike by primary school teachers across the territory.
Teachers under the FCT Wing of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) commenced an indefinite strike on 18th September 2024, citing unpaid entitlements and the non-implementation of agreements reached with the Area Councils since 2022.
In response, Wike threatened to withhold 10% of the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) allocated to the Area Councils and redirect the funds towards settling the outstanding payments owed to the teachers.
“If the teachers are not paid, I will use the 10% of IGR which we normally pay to the Area Councils to pay the teachers,” the Minister stated. “I will not fold my hands and allow that to happen. No serious government will see their teachers stay at home and their children suffering. I will not tolerate that; I won’t.”
The strike stems from the Area Councils’ failure to fully implement an agreement that included the payment of 25 months’ minimum wage arrears, salary adjustments, and various allowances. Although Wike had previously intervened by covering 40% of the arrears, the remaining 60% and other obligations remain unsettled.
The NUT has urged its members to continue the strike until all outstanding demands are met. The ongoing industrial action has led to the closure of public primary schools across the FCT, affecting thousands of pupils and sparking calls for urgent intervention to safeguard the future of education in the nation’s capital.
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