Wike Meets Teachers’ Union to Resolve FCT Strike Crisi

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday met with leaders of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Abuja as part of renewed efforts to resolve the ongoing strike by primary school teachers in the territory.

The meeting, held in Abuja, focused on addressing lingering issues surrounding the payment of teachers’ salaries and allowances, which have repeatedly triggered industrial actions in the FCT.

Wike’s Intervention

During the meeting, Wike emphasised that his intervention was driven primarily by concern for schoolchildren affected by the strike.

He reiterated that the responsibility for paying primary school teachers rests with the area councils, noting that the FCT Administration had already taken steps in the past to address the issue.

The minister expressed frustration that despite previous interventions—including the establishment of a committee and direct financial measures—the problem continues to recur.

“This is the second or third time I have presided over this meeting on teachers’ allowances and emoluments,” Wike said.

“I even went as far as stopping the Internally Generated Revenue allocation of the area councils and directed that the funds be paid directly to address these issues. It is surprising that after agreements were reached, the strike still went ahead.”

Union Response

Speaking after the meeting, the FCT NUT chairman, Mohammed Shafa, confirmed that the minister had pledged to take “immediate action” on the concerns raised by teachers.

While expressing appreciation for Wike’s efforts in improving the education sector in the FCT, Shafa noted that the strike remains in force for now.

He explained that the union’s leadership would reconvene to review the outcome of the meeting before taking a final decision.

“We will return to our headquarters to deliberate on the discussions and determine the next line of action,” he said.

Strike Still Ongoing

Despite the high-level engagement, the ongoing strike has not yet been suspended, leaving thousands of pupils across the FCT out of school.

Stakeholders in the education sector are hopeful that the latest intervention will lead to a resolution, as pressure mounts to restore normal academic activities.

Recurring Dispute

The dispute highlights persistent challenges in the funding and administration of primary education in the FCT, particularly regarding the roles of area councils and the central administration.

Observers say a lasting solution will require clear accountability structures and sustainable funding mechanisms to prevent repeated disruptions in the future.