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๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ฌ Nigeria /Conflict & Security

FCT Teachers Begin Indefinite Strike Over Unresolved Demands

From The Punch · (6m ago) English Critical tone

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Primary and secondary school teachers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nigeria, have commenced an indefinite strike as ordered by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT).
  • The strike follows the expiration of an ultimatum issued to the FCT Minister regarding unresolved welfare issues and the delayed implementation of a committee report on teachers' entitlements.
  • Key demands include the release and implementation of the committee's report, the removal of the "vacancies" condition for promotion, and a review of the 2024 promotion exercise.

Teachers across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have heeded the call of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and commenced an indefinite strike, leaving public primary and secondary schools deserted. The action, which began Monday, signifies a deep-seated frustration with the authorities' handling of teachers' welfare and pending demands.

The industrial action was triggered by the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, on March 11, which passed without a satisfactory response. While the union acknowledged the minister's efforts in implementing the N70,000 minimum wage and paying nine months' arrears for primary school teachers, it highlighted that numerous other critical issues remain unresolved.

A significant point of contention is the delay in making public and implementing the report of a committee constituted on July 7, 2025, to harmonize outstanding entitlements and address recurring disputes. Despite submitting its findings in August 2025, the union laments the lack of action, which they argue is exacerbating the economic hardships faced by educators.

Among the core demands are the immediate release and implementation of the committee's report, the removal of the "vacancies" clause that has hindered promotions, and a thorough review of the 2024 promotion exercise conducted by the FCT Civil Service Commission. The NUT's State Wing Executive Council expressed strong dissatisfaction with the authorities' continued silence, even after an additional 28-day grace period expired, leaving them with no alternative but to withdraw their services until their grievances are addressed.

After exhaustive deliberations on the industrial issues and the sile

โ€” NUT CommuniquรฉPart of the communiquรฉ issued by the NUT's State Wing Executive Council explaining the decision to strike.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.