FCT primary school teachers commence indefinite strike

Primary school teachers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have begun an indefinite strike to protest nonpayment of outstanding entitlements and other unresolved industrial issues.

The teachers, under the Nige­ria Union of Teachers (NUT) FCT wing, resumed the postponed strike on Wednesday, after a resolution by the union’s leadership.

In a communiqué signed by NUT’s State Chairman, Comrade Abdullahi Shafa, at the end of the State Wing Executive Council (SWEC) meeting in Gwagwalada, Abuja, the union declared all public primary schools in the FCT closed until its demands are met.

The NUT expressed disappointment with the council chairmen’s failure to address the issues raised during a 14-day ultimatum issued earlier.

Among the demands are the payment of the remaining 60% of 25 months’ minimum wage arrears, the implementation of salary increases, and the correct payment of entitlements agreed upon in 2022.

In response, Dr. Hassan Sule, Secretary of the FCT Universal Basic Education Board (FCT-UBEB), urged the union to suspend the strike, emphasising that discussions with the leadership of the six area councils are still underway.

Sule indicated that discussions with the FCT Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) chairmen were underway, and efforts were being made to determine the outstanding payments.

He stated that a meeting to discuss the matter is expected to take place tomorrow.

However, the NUT won’t give up until all its demands have been met.