By Adenike Lawal
Relief may soon come to public primary school pupils in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as the three-month strike by primary school teachers nears resolution, following a bold intervention by FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
A closed-door meeting held Tuesday in Abuja brought together key stakeholders, including the Minister’s Chief of Staff, Mr. Chidi Amadi, area council chairmen, the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), FCT Administration (FCTA), officials, members of the National Assembly, and representatives of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).
Speaking after the meeting, Mr. Amadi disclosed that a major resolution was reached: the six-month backlog of 10% Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), from area councils will be redirected to pay about 70% of the teachers’ outstanding minimum wage.
Although this may not fully clear all arrears, it represents a critical step toward resolving the impasse.
“This move, though not a full settlement, demonstrates real commitment to resolving the crisis. It is a major leap in the right direction,” Amadi said.
To address lingering issues, Wike also ordered the establishment of a Special Committee comprising representatives from the NUT, FCTA, area councils, and NANS.
The committee has two weeks to review outstanding grievances and submit a comprehensive report.
Beyond the teachers’ demands, the minister also pledged to address other longstanding challenges affecting local government staff across the FCT, calling for full restoration of area council operations.
Speaking on behalf of the area council chairmen, Mr. Abubakar Abdullahi affirmed their support for the resolution despite its financial implications.
He noted that while the law does not authorize the minister to reallocate IGR, the chairmen backed the move in the interest of ending the strike.
“We’re making a heartfelt appeal to the NUT to consider the future of our children and suspend the strike. Wike took extraordinary steps to get us to this point,” Abdullahi stated.
NANS National President, Olushola Oladoja, commended the minister’s intervention, calling it courageous and selfless.
He acknowledged the legal complexities of the IGR reallocation but praised the chairmen’s sacrifice in prioritizing education.
In response, NUT Chairman Mohammed Shafa expressed gratitude for the minister’s efforts but said the union would consult its State Executive Council before making a final decision.
The teachers initiated the strike in March, citing unpaid minimum wage, non-implementation of 25% and 35% salary increments, unpaid 40% peculiar allowances, and failure to honour a 2022 agreement on a ₦35,000 wage award and other entitlements.
With negotiations producing concrete outcomes and broad stakeholder consensus, schools could reopen as early as Friday, marking a hopeful end to a crisis that has kept thousands of pupils out of the classroom for months.
