WIKE, NUT HOLD TALKS AS TEACHERS’ STRIKE CONTINUES PENDING REVIEW
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By: Balogun Ibrahim
The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Wing, is expected to decide the future of its ongoing strike following a high-level meeting held on Thursday with the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
Although the union described the discussions as constructive and noted what it termed a “ministerial commitment” to resolving long-standing issues, it maintained that the strike is still in effect. Union leaders said they would return to their base for further consultations before taking any final decision.
NUT FCT Wing Chairman, Abdulahi Shafa, told journalists that the leadership would brief members before determining the next steps.
“We will go back to the house and look at what has been discussed with the minister and know the next line of action,” he said.
Shafa explained that the meeting addressed major challenges affecting teachers in primary, junior, and senior secondary schools, including unpaid allowances, understaffing, and the role of Area Councils in funding basic education.
He described the engagement as “very fruitful,” adding that the minister had pledged prompt action on several issues he was previously unaware of.
“The minister has promised immediate action on the issues we raised,” Shafa said.
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He also noted that discussions covered broader efforts to improve school infrastructure and administration in the FCT, commending ongoing renovation and restructuring initiatives.
“We appreciate the minister. He is into renovations and restructuring some of our schools, which is a pathway. The rights of our members are being discussed and being settled,” he added.
Shafa further stressed that the most pressing concerns are at the primary school level, particularly regarding welfare and entitlements.
“The only area where we have greater problems is the primary school level, where there are shortcomings in rights and entitlements,” he said.
Meanwhile, the FCT Administration said it has begun steps to tackle funding challenges in basic education. Wike disclosed that he had redirected Internally Generated Revenue allocations from Area Councils to ensure direct payment of teachers’ allowances, describing it as part of efforts to address what he called the councils’ responsibility toward basic education workers.
The union is expected to reconvene after internal consultations and announce its final decision in the coming days.
The strike began on Monday after an emergency meeting in Gwagwalada, where the union’s State Wing Executive Council directed teachers across the FCT to embark on an indefinite industrial action.
The action followed the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued to the FCT Minister over unresolved welfare and policy concerns.
While acknowledging partial government interventions such as the new minimum wage and payment of some salary arrears, the union maintained that key demands remain unmet, including the implementation of a committee report on teachers’ welfare, promotion issues, and other outstanding entitlements.
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