The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has intervened in the ongoing teachers’ strike by meeting with key stakeholders, including the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), and chairmen of the six FCT area councils.

The meeting, which took place at the minister’s official residence in Abuja, was aimed at resolving the strike that began on March 24, 2025.

The teachers are demanding the full implementation of a tripartite agreement signed on December 11, 2024, which includes a ₦70,000 minimum wage, 25%–35% salary arrears, a 40% peculiar allowance, a ₦35,000 Federal Government wage award, and several years of promotion arrears.

Following a closed-door session, Abaji Area Council Chairman, Abubakar Abdullahi, who spoke on behalf of the council chairmen, revealed that Wike had approved the deduction of 10% from the councils’ internally generated revenue (IGR) for the next six months to meet the teachers’ demands.

While describing the decision as “painful,” Abdullahi noted that the chairmen had accepted it in good faith to ensure the strike is brought to an end and normal academic activities resume across FCT schools.

“We just finished a meeting with the minister, the leadership of the NUT, and the Area Council Chairmen. Resolutions were passed, although they did not favour the Chairman, as our six months’ IGR has been entirely committed to settling this issue.

“Our plea to the NUT is to consider our children and call off the strike. The minister clearly stated that, legally, he has no right to withhold 10% of the Area Councils’ IGR to pay NUT debts. But by God’s grace, the Chairman agreed, in the interest of peace and education, to release that amount.

“We hope that before the close of work today, the union will call off the strike, and by tomorrow, our children will return to school,” he said.

Also speaking, NANS President, Olushola Ladoja, said the teachers had requested 70% payment of the owed salaries and arrears, which all parties agreed to.

He added that a committee had been set up to address remaining issues and report back within two weeks.

“During the meeting, the NUT proposed receiving 70% of the owed sum. Based on calculations of the IGR, it was confirmed that this amount could be covered. The hon. the minister has directed that the council chairmen’s IGR be used for this purpose and pleaded with the teachers to call off the strike.

“He also constituted a committee, which includes NANS, to look into other unresolved demands within two weeks,” Ladoja said.

He commended the minister’s intervention, despite the legal constraints surrounding the use of council funds.

On his part, the FCT NUT Chairman, Abdullahi Shafas, said the union would convene a State Wing Executive Council meeting to take a final decision based on the discussions.