Primary school teachers across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Tuesday suspended their over Three-Month old strike.
Grassroots Parrot reports that the teachers will return to their classrooms on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, following the suspension of the strike that began on March 24, 2025.
The decision came after the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), FCT Wing, held an emergency State Wing Executive Council (SWEC) meeting at the FCT Teachers’ House in Gwagwalada on Friday, July 4.
The meeting was convened to deliberate on a new offer presented by the Honourable Minister of the FCT in a bid to resolve the prolonged industrial action.
In a communiqué issued after the meeting and signed by NUT State Chairman Comrade Abdullahi M. Shafa and State Secretary Comrade Margaret F. Jethro, the Union described the prolonged silence of education stakeholders as “insensitive” and “disappointing,” but commended the recent intervention by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike and other high-ranking officials.
According to the communiqué, the Minister reaffirmed that the responsibility for paying the salaries of primary school teachers lies with the Area Councils. However, he acknowledged their financial constraints and offered a two-fold solution:
1. Release of N16 billion—representing six months’ worth of 10% Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) accrued to the Area Councils—to support the June implementation of the new minimum wage and 60% payment of nine months’ arrears.
2. Creation of a special committee within two weeks to harmonize the outstanding arrears and develop a roadmap for full payment.
Following these offers—and after confirming that the minimum wage and five months of arrears had been paid into teachers’ accounts as of July 8—the SWEC resolved to suspend the strike.
Comrade Shafa praised the Minister’s “positive disposition,” particularly regarding the potential takeover of salary payments by the FCT Administration (FCTA), calling it a “welcome step toward a more stable future.”
“All primary school teachers in the FCT are directed to resume work on Wednesday, July 9, 2025,” the communiqué stated. “The Union will continue to engage all relevant stakeholders to ensure the remaining entitlements are fully addressed.”
The NUT FCT Wing also extended its gratitude to teachers for their resilience, as well as to FCT royal fathers, civil society organizations, and individuals who showed support during the strike.
Special recognition was also given to the National NUT leadership and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) for their solidarity.
“This unity and perseverance have brought us to this critical point,” said State Publicity Secretary Comrade Ibukun Adekeye. “But we remain committed to the total settlement of all outstanding issues.”
Here is a copy of the communique:
