Primary school teachers across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have suspended their four-month strike, following the release of N16 billion by the FCT Administration to clear part of their unpaid salaries and arrears.
In a communiqué issued after an emergency State Wing Executive Council (SWEC) meeting held at the FCT Teachers’ House, Gwagwalada, the
Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) FCT Wing, confirmed that its members will resume work on Wednesday, 9th July 2025.
The communiqué was jointly signed by Com. Abdullahi M. Shafas, State Chairman; Com. Margaret F. Jethro (Mrs.), State Secretary; and Com. Ibukun Adekeye, State Publicity Secretary
“We appreciate the Honourable Minister’s intervention which has brought this prolonged industrial action to a reasonable resolution,” the communiqué said.
The State Secretary,said the FCT Minister,Nyesom Wike facilitated the release of six months’ worth of the Area Councils’ 10% FCT accrued Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) amounting to N16 billion. The funds will cover the June salary under the New Minimum Wage and 60% of nine months’ arrears owed to primary school teachers across the six Area Councils.
“The Honourable Minister made it clear that paying primary school teachers’ salaries is the responsibility of the Area Councils but acknowledged their limited resources. He therefore intervened to augment the shortfall,” the NUT said.
The union disclosed that the minister has also constituted a special committee to harmonise all outstanding arrears within two weeks and design a sustainable plan for clearing the backlog permanently a move the teachers described as “a positive disposition” to possibly transferring payment responsibilities fully to the FCTA.
The union lamented the “insensitivity and lack of commitment” shown by key stakeholders in FCT’s primary education sector after four months of the unpaid salaries, but commended the timely mediation by the FCT Minister, House Committees on FCT and Area Councils, the FCT Head of Service, and other senior officials.
“Consequent upon the implementation of the new minimum wage and payment of five months’ arrears into teachers’ accounts today, 8th July 2025, the SWEC hereby suspends the ongoing strike action and appeals to all primary school teachers in the FCT to return to their classrooms with effect from Wednesday, 9th July 2025,” the communiqué said.
The union expressed appreciation to its members for their resilience during the industrial action and extended appreciation to FCT royal fathers, civil society organisations, and other well-meaning individuals who lent support to the teachers’ cause.
It added:”We urge all teachers to resume their legitimate duties while the union continues to intensify efforts to ensure the full settlement of all outstanding entitlements.”