Public primary and secondary school teachers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have commenced an indefinite strike following unresolved disputes over welfare and outstanding entitlements.
The directive was issued by the State Wing Executive Council (SWEC) of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) after an emergency meeting held in Gwagwalada, Abuja.
In a communiqué signed by the State Chairman, Mr. Abdullahi Shafa; State Secretary, Ms. Margaret Jethro; and State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Ibukun Adekeye, the union instructed teachers to withdraw their services from Monday and remain at home until further notice.
The union also advised parents to keep their children and wards at home, as academic activities in public primary and secondary schools will be suspended for the duration of the strike.
According to the communiqué, the decision followed the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued to the FCT Minister, Mr. Nyesom Wike, on 11 March, alongside an additional 28-day grace period granted to the administration.
The teachers noted that, while the minister had implemented the N70,000 minimum wage and paid nine months’ arrears to primary school teachers, several critical issues remain unresolved.
They cited the failure to release and implement the report of a committee established in July 2025 to harmonise outstanding entitlements and propose long-term solutions to recurring industrial disputes.
“The committee concluded its assignment and submitted its report in August 2025; however, the report is yet to be made public,” the union stated.
The union added that delays in addressing these issues, coupled with prevailing economic pressures, informed the decision to resume industrial action.
Among other demands, the teachers are calling for the implementation of all outstanding entitlements, the removal of the “vacancies” condition for promotions, and a review of the 2024 promotion exercise conducted by the FCT Civil Service Commission.
SWEC stated that the continued silence from the authorities on these matters left the union with no alternative but to embark on the strike.
“After exhaustive deliberations, the council resolved that all public primary and secondary school teachers in the FCT shall, with effect from Monday, proceed on an indefinite strike until our demands are met,” the communiqué added.
