The Federal Capital Territory’s (FCT) primary school teachers have called off their four-month strike and instructed their members to resume teaching as of Wednesday, July 9, 2025. Abubakar Shafa, the chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), FCT Wing, had previously insisted that teachers would not return to work until their unpaid pay were received.
However, once Nyesom Wike, the FCT Minister, intervened and ₦16 billion was disbursed to pay teachers’ entitlements, the strike was called off.
The suspension came after a stakeholder meeting called by the minister on July 3, 2025, the union stated in a statement released at the conclusion of an emergency meeting of the State Wing Executive Council (SWEC). The Permanent Secretary of Treasury, the FCT Head of Service, NUT executives, the Chairmen of the House Committees on FCT and Area Councils, and other important stakeholders attended the meeting.
Although the Area Councils are ultimately in charge of paying teachers’ salaries, the minister admitted that their funding was inadequate, according to the communiqué. In order to solve this, he authorized the release of ₦16 billion, or six months’ worth of 10% FCT Internally Generated Revenue, to satisfy 60% of the nine-month arrears and the June 2025 salary under the new minimum wage.
Additionally, a special committee has been established to coordinate all unpaid debts within two weeks and present a viable plan for the backlog’s long-term resolution. The union attested to the fact that on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, the new minimum salary and five months’ worth of arrears were paid.
In light of these events, the SWEC decided to call off the strike and ordered all FCT primary school teachers to report back to work on Wednesday.
In addition to thanking members for their tenacity, camaraderie, and support during the industrial action, the union promised to keep working to guarantee the full payment of all unpaid rights.
