Teachers across public primary and secondary schools in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) commenced an indefinite strike on Monday, April 21, 2026, turning back students who reported for the third-term academic session. The industrial action has caused significant disruption, particularly for final year students scheduled to begin their West African Examinations Council (WAEC) examinations on Tuesday, April 22, 2026, leading to widespread concern among parents and the FCT Administration.

This latest industrial crisis is rooted in a prolonged struggle for outstanding teacher entitlements and other welfare issues. The dispute has seen several cycles of strikes and temporary resolutions over the past few years. In January 2022, a two-month strike was suspended after the then-FCT Minister of State, Hajiya Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, brokered a deal. This agreement included a template signed by the six Area Council chairmen to deduct N30 million monthly from their Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC) coffers to liquidate the accumulated debt. However, the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) claims this agreement was honored only once.

Further intervention occurred in September 2023 when the current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, stepped in during another strike. He established a six-man committee, led by the Minister of State, Hajiya Mariya Mahmoud, to address the issues. While Minister Wike fulfilled his promise to pay 40% of the arrears, the Area Council chairmen, who were responsible for the remaining 60%, allegedly reneged on their part of the agreement. The N70,000 minimum wage was eventually implemented in July 2025 following direct deductions by the Minister, yet other significant entitlements remained unresolved, leading to teachers barricading Area Council secretariats in late 2024.

The recent escalation to an indefinite strike followed a series of unmet demands. On March 11, 2026, the NUT issued a seven-day ultimatum to Minister Wike, followed by a 28-day grace period, demanding the release and implementation of the committee’s report on harmonizing outstanding teacher entitlements. Following an emergency State Working Executive Committee (SWEC) meeting on Friday, April 18, 2026, the union directed all teachers to