The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) primary school teachers, under the aegis of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), have suspended their strike action following renewed assurances from the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to address their long-standing demands.
Abuja City Journal previously reported that the union had, on September 18, 2024, directed Local Education Authority (LEA) primary school teachers across the six area councils of the FCT to embark on strike. The industrial action stemmed from the non-payment of the remaining 60 percent of a 25-month backlog of minimum wage arrears, the non-implementation of arrears for the 40 percent peculiar allowance, and other outstanding benefits.
Speaking to journalists after an emergency State Wing Executive Council (SWEC) meeting held at the Teachers’ House in Gwagwalada on Monday, Comrade Abdullahi Mohammed Shafas, Chairman of the NUT in the FCT, announced the suspension of the strike. He explained that the decision followed a renewed commitment from Minister Wike, who had directed the FCT Treasury Department to use the area council chairmen’s 10 percent Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) accruals to settle the outstanding arrears owed to the teachers.
Shafas added that the union had noted Minister Wike’s consistent and positive interventions, which included a commitment to addressing other pressing demands of the teachers. These demands, beyond the minimum wage arrears, included the implementation of the 40 percent peculiar allowance, a N35,000 wage award, and the much-anticipated 25 percent and 35 percent upward salary reviews.
The NUT, however, urged the FCT Minister to expedite action on these remaining demands, particularly the peculiar allowance and salary reviews, which are crucial to improving the welfare of primary school teachers in the FCT. Comrade Shafas expressed disappointment over the poor state of teacher welfare, lamenting the negligence of the area council management in addressing the entitlements of the teachers, especially given the challenging economic realities currently affecting the country.
He described the situation as “pathetic” and called for immediate intervention to ensure teachers receive what is rightfully theirs. “It is disheartening that despite the harsh economic climate, the area council management has remained unresponsive to the needs of primary school teachers, failing to pay their rightful entitlements. This neglect has exacerbated the difficulties faced by teachers in their day-to-day lives,” Shafas stated.
Despite this, he urged teachers across the FCT to return to their classrooms on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, to resume their duties. “We appeal to all primary school teachers in the FCT to, with immediate effect from Tuesday, October 8, 2024, return to their classrooms and continue with their legitimate duties. The union will not rest until all outstanding entitlements are settled, and the welfare of our teachers is significantly improved,” he assured.
