A protracted three-month strike by public school teachers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), initiated in March, is on the verge of being resolved following a firm intervention by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike. The industrial action was primarily sparked by the non-implementation of the minimum wage, non-payment of approved salary increments, and the failure to fulfill a tripartite agreement signed on December 11, 2024. This agreement had promised a N70,000 minimum wage for teachers, the payment of 25% to 35% salary arrears, a 40% peculiar allowance, the N35,000 wage award announced by the Federal Government, and several years' promotion benefits.

To address the longstanding issues that led to the closure of public primary schools across the territory, Minister Wike convened a crucial closed-door meeting on Thursday. The meeting, held at the conference room of the minister’s official residence in Abuja, brought together the six Area Council chairmen, leaders of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), representatives from the FCT Administration, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), and members of the National Assembly.

Following extensive discussions, a significant resolution was reached: the six Area Council chairmen collectively agreed to forfeit 10 per cent of their Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) for the next six months. This decision, described by the chairmen as painful but necessary, aims to settle outstanding salaries and allowances owed to the teachers. This commitment to release 10 percent of the area councils’ accumulated IGR from the past six months is expected to cover approximately 70 percent of the unpaid minimum wages and arrears owed to the teachers, marking a major step toward ending the strike permanently.

Speaking on behalf of the chairmen after the meeting, the Chairman of Abaji Area Council, Abubakar Abdullahi, confirmed the resolution, admitting that while withholding the IGR would strain council finances, it was a necessary sacrifice for the education of children across the FCT. Abdullahi appealed to the NUT to call off the strike in the interest of the pupils, acknowledging that the minister, by law, had no right to take the 10 per cent IGR of area councils, but the chairmen agreed voluntarily to resolve the crisis. He expressed confidence that the strike would be lifted before Friday, allowing students to return to their classrooms.

The National President of NANS, Olushola Ladoja, praised the minister's intervention, noting that during the closed-door meeting, it was proposed that 70 per cent of the owed money be paid, which was achieved through the IGR calculation. Ladoja commended Minister Wike for his courageous action and the council chairmen for prioritizing students' interests, even acknowledging that any chairman could have legally challenged the minister’s action. However, other demands from the teachers remain.

To address these remaining unresolved issues, Minister Wike has ordered the formation of a Special Committee. This committee will comprise three members from the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), two representatives from the FCTA, one Area Council Chairman, and a representative from NANS. The committee is tasked with delivering its final report within two weeks, including recommendations on how to settle the outstanding debts and avoid future conflicts. The Minister’s Chief of Staff, Chidi Amadi, reiterated Wike’s commitment not only to the plight of teachers but also to addressing outstanding issues affecting all local government employees, emphasizing the priority of ensuring optimal council functioning and immediate school reopening.

Responding to the developments, the FCT NUT Chairman, Mohammed Shafa (also referred to as Abdullahi Shafas), acknowledged the new commitment. He stated that the union would convene a meeting of its State Wing Executive Council to deliberate on the issues discussed and make a final decision on calling off the strike.