FCT Teachers Shut Down Schools as Indefinite Strike Begins

 

Teachers and pupils at LEA Ijayapi Primary School and LEA Byazhin Primary School in the Abuja Municipal Area Council were absent from classrooms on Monday as the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in the Federal Capital Territory commenced an indefinite strike.

A visit to both schools at about 7:55 a.m. showed deserted premises, with classrooms locked and no academic activity taking place.

The State Wing Executive Council (SWEC) of the NUT had directed all public primary and secondary school teachers across the FCT to begin the industrial action following an emergency meeting in Gwagwalada on Friday.

In a communiqué signed by State Chairman Abdullahi Shafa, State Secretary Margaret Jethro, and State Publicity Secretary Ibukun Adekeye, the union instructed members to comply fully with the strike and await further directives.

Parents were also advised to keep their children at home until further notice.

The union said the action followed the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, on March 11, which ended on March 29 without what it described as satisfactory resolution of outstanding issues.

While acknowledging the payment of the new minimum wage and some salary arrears, the teachers said several welfare concerns remained unresolved.

These include the implementation of a committee report on teachers’ entitlements, review of the 2024 promotion exercise, and removal of conditions attached to promotions.

The NUT said the committee set up by the FCT administration in July 2025 submitted its report in August, but it had not been implemented or made public.

It added that repeated appeals and a 28-day grace period yielded no response, leaving the union with no option but to begin an indefinite strike until its demands are met.

Source: Punch