FCT Teachers Begin Indefinite Strike Over Unpaid Minimum Wage Arrears

Public primary school teachers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have commenced an indefinite strike following the failure of the six Area Council chairmen to pay outstanding arrears related to the minimum wage and meet other financial obligations.

The strike action was confirmed by Comrade Abdullahi Shafa, the FCT Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT). The decision followed resolutions reached during a meeting of the State Wing Executive Council (SWEC) of the NUT FCT Wing.

At the meeting, members discussed a 14-day ultimatum that had been issued to the Area Council chairmen, demanding they settle the entitlements owed to the teachers. While FCT Minister Barrister Nyesom E. Wike stepped in and assisted by covering 40% of the 25 months of unpaid Minimum Wage Arrears, the Council chairmen failed to fully comply with the ultimatum or address the broader industrial concerns raised by the union.

Key Demands:

• Payment of the remaining 60% of the 25 months of Minimum Wage Arrears.
• Implementation and payment of arrears from the 25% and 35% salary increases.
• Payment of the 40% Peculiar Allowance arrears.
• Settlement of the N35,000 Wage Award arrears.
• Correct and continuous implementation of the agreed 2022 template for outstanding teacher entitlements.

The strike, which commenced on September 18, 2024, has resulted in the closure of all public primary schools in the FCT. The NUT has called on teachers to remain calm and ignore any counter directives unless issued by the union.

This is not the first instance of FCT teachers striking over unpaid wages. Earlier in January 2024, the NUT directed primary school teachers to embark on a similar indefinite strike due to unresolved salary issues. FCT Minister Wike has placed the blame on the Area Council chairmen, accusing them of neglecting their responsibilities and allowing the situation to escalate.