Primary school teachers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have made it clear they won’t return to class until their unpaid salaries and entitlements are fully settled no exceptions.
The strike, now in its fourth month, has dragged on despite a meeting on Thursday between FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and leaders of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) from the six area councils. That meeting ended without any breakthrough.
The teachers say their position is simple: no pay, no work.
Speaking after a union meeting in Abuja, FCT NUT Chairman, Comrade Abdullahi Mohammed Shafas, told reporters that teachers are tired of promises.
“Our members are ready to resume immediately they get payment alerts even if it comes this evening,” he said.
Their demands include payment of salary arrears, implementation of the ₦70,000 minimum wage, and other long-standing benefits.
Shafas, however, acknowledged Minister Wike’s efforts, especially his decision to withhold 10% of the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from the six area councils over the last six months as pressure on the local authorities.
He also welcomed the minister’s move to set up a committee to address the teachers’ concerns.
The strike began after local council chairmen reportedly failed to honour three different agreements previously reached with the union.
