Wike holds talks with NUT, NANS, and council chairmen over ongoing teachers’ strike
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Thursday held a strategic meeting with representatives of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), and chairmen of the six Area Councils in the FCT to address the ongoing teachers’ strike, which began on March 24, 2025.
The meeting took place in the conference room of the minister’s official residence in Abuja.
According to PUNCH Online, the striking teachers are demanding the full implementation of a tripartite agreement signed on December 11, 2024. The agreement outlines several key demands, including a ₦70,000 minimum wage for teachers, payment of 25%–35% salary arrears, a 40% peculiar allowance, a ₦35,000 wage award from the Federal Government, and settlement of several years’ promotion arrears.
After a closed-door meeting, Chairman of the Abaji Area Council, Abubakar Abdullahi, speaking on behalf of the council chairmen, disclosed that the minister had agreed to allocate 10% of the Area Councils’ internally generated revenue (IGR) for the next six months to settle the teachers’ entitlements.
Abdullahi admitted the decision was difficult for the chairmen but said they had accepted it in good faith for the sake of students’ education.
“We’ve just concluded a meeting with the minister, NUT leaders, and council chairmen. Although the decision places a financial strain on us, we’ve agreed to commit six months’ worth of our IGR to address the teachers’ demands,” he said.
He appealed to the NUT to consider the students and end the strike. He also noted that although the minister legally could not withhold the councils’ IGR, the chairmen voluntarily approved the release of the funds in the interest of peace and education.
“Our hope is that by the end of today, the union will suspend the strike so that our children can return to school by tomorrow,” he added.
Also speaking, NANS President Olushola Ladoja explained that the NUT had requested 70% of the owed funds be paid, a demand all stakeholders agreed to.
He stated that based on IGR projections, the amount could be covered. A joint committee — including NANS — was established to address the remaining issues and report back within two weeks.
“The minister has directed that council IGR be used to meet this demand and urged the union to suspend the strike. A committee has also been constituted to review other outstanding matters,” Ladoja said.
He praised Wike’s intervention, especially given the legal complexities involved in using council funds.
In response, FCT NUT Chairman Abdullahi Shafas said the union would hold a State Wing Executive Council meeting to review the discussions and take a final decision.
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