After over three months of stalled learning, primary school pupils across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will return to classrooms as the FCT chapter of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) has officially suspended its strike.
The strike, which began on March 24, 2025, was prompted by the government’s failure to pay the new national minimum wage and other entitlements to primary school teachers. However, following a high-level intervention by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and the subsequent release of N16 billion to offset part of the outstanding salaries, the union announced an immediate end to the industrial action.
In a communiqué dated July 4 and made public on Tuesday, July 8, the NUT directed all FCT primary school teachers to resume duties on Wednesday, July 9, marking an end to the prolonged shutdown of public basic education in the nation’s capital.
The union revealed that its decision followed an emergency State Wing Executive Council (SWEC) meeting held after Minister Wike offered financial support through a strategic allocation of internally generated revenue.
“Following the ongoing strike action by the primary school teachers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) from March 24 and consequent upon the intervention of the Honourable Minister of FCT on July 3, the State Wing Executive Council (SWEC) of the Union held an emergency session on July 4 to deliberate on the offer made by the minister and to review the strike action,” the communiqué stated.
While reiterating that the payment of teachers’ salaries is primarily the responsibility of the area councils, Wike acknowledged their constrained finances and authorized the release of six months’ worth of 10% FCT Internally Generated Revenue (IGR)—totaling N16 billion—to address the wage backlog.
The funds are expected to fully cover the June 2025 minimum wage payments and settle 60% of the nine-month salary arrears owed to teachers.
In addition, a special committee is to be constituted within two weeks to harmonize and chart a clear roadmap for the permanent resolution of all outstanding arrears.
With the strike now suspended, thousands of schoolchildren are set to return to their classrooms, bringing an end to months of academic disruption and uncertainty for families and educators across the FCT.
The NUT expressed cautious optimism, urging the government to ensure the prompt implementation of all agreed terms and reaffirming its commitment to defending the rights and welfare of teachers.