Primary school teachers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), under the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), have announced the resumption of their indefinite strike, effective Monday, March 24, 2025.
The decision follows the receipt of February salaries without the implementation of the agreed N70,000 minimum wage.
In a communique issued at the end of an emergency State Wing Standing Committee (SWSC) meeting in Gwagwalada on Saturday, March 22, 2025, the union condemned the non-compliance with the wage agreement.
“The Union finds it worrisome the constant and flagrant disregard for agreements reached with the Area Council Chairmen in FCT,” the communique stated.
The meeting highlighted that the suspension of a previous strike was based on the promise that the new minimum wage would be reflected in February salaries. However, the recent salary disbursement failed to honor this commitment.
Expressing frustration over the situation, the union stated, “The payment of February Salary by the Councils without recourse to the Union and the New Minimum Wage is disturbing, disheartening, and lacking in sympathy for the plight of Primary School Teachers in the FCT.”
The SWSC further criticized the financial hardship imposed on teachers, questioning, “Why the continuous impoverishing of the impoverished? Why impose continuous hardship and suffering on the teachers and their families? Enough Is Enough!”
The communique outlined key demands, including the immediate implementation of the national minimum wage in February salaries and payment of the wage differential. It also called for urgent steps to implement various allowances, including a 40 percent peculiar allowance and additional salary increases.
Union members were directed to comply with the strike while parents were advised to keep their children at home until further notice.
FCT NUT Chairman, Comrade Abdullahi Mohammed Shafas, reiterated the union’s disappointment, accusing the area council chairmen of reneging on their commitments.
“We suspended our strike on February 21, 2025, in good faith, under the assurance that the new minimum wage would be implemented in February,” Shafas stated.
He described the decision to process salaries without the new wage as “disturbing, disheartening, and lacking in empathy” for the struggles of primary school teachers.
