Primary school teachers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are expected to end their three-month strike following the intervention of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
This was disclosed on Thursday in Abuja by the Chief of Staff to the Minister, Mr. Chidi Amadi, after a closed-door meeting involving the FCT Administration, Area Council Chairmen, leaders of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), and representatives of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and the National Assembly.
Amadi said the meeting, convened by the minister, aimed to bring a lasting resolution to the industrial action, which began in March over unpaid entitlements and the non-implementation of agreements reached in 2022.
70% of Arrears to Be Settled
Part of the resolutions reached at the meeting includes the withholding of 10 percent of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) accrued by the area councils over the last six months. The funds, according to Amadi, will be used to offset 70 percent of the minimum wage arrears owed to teachers.
“Although it won’t cover 100 percent of the debt, it’s a laudable move toward resolving the crisis,” Amadi said.
He also announced the creation of a special committee made up of three members from the NUT, two from the FCTA, one area council chairman, and one NANS representative. The committee is expected to submit a report within two weeks on how to address the remaining issues permanently.
Wike to Intervene in LG Staff Demands
Amadi further revealed that the minister has also pledged to resolve outstanding demands of local government employees across the FCT, to ensure full operational resumption in the area councils.
Council Chairmen Concede IGR
Speaking on behalf of the area council chairmen, Mr. Abubakar Abdullahi acknowledged that the resolution came at a cost to the councils but described it as necessary.
“Six months of our IGR is being withheld to settle this issue. We are appealing to the NUT to consider our children and call off the strike,” he said.
Abdullahi added that although Wike had no legal authority to redirect the IGR, the chairmen unanimously agreed to it to end the impasse.
Stakeholders Applaud Minister’s Bold Move
The National President of NANS, Olushola Oladoja, praised the resolution and Wike’s leadership, noting that while the minister’s decision could be challenged legally, the chairmen showed maturity by prioritizing education.
“Despite legal limitations, the chairmen have decided not to take the minister to court because they also want a solution,” he said.
NUT Yet to Announce Final Decision
Responding to the development, NUT Chairman, Mohammed Shafa, confirmed the union’s participation in the meeting but said the final decision to suspend the strike would be made by the State Executive Council of the union.
The teachers began the strike in March over the non-payment of the minimum wage, 25 and 35 percent salary increases, 40 percent peculiar allowance, and the N35,000 wage award. They also demanded the implementation of a 2022 agreement outlining outstanding entitlements.