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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Elections & Politics

Nigeria Union of Teachers Suspends FCT Strike After Minister's N5 Billion Commitment

From The Punch · (5m ago) English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has suspended its strike.
  • The decision follows the FCT Minister's approval of N5 billion monthly to address teachers' outstanding needs, including a N2 billion allocation from Internally Generated Revenue and N3 billion from Area Councils.
  • Teachers are to resume duties on Monday, April 27, with assurances against victimization and a commitment to review the agreement if not honored.

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) Federal Capital Territory wing has called off its strike, bringing relief to primary and secondary school teachers in the region. This decision, announced by SWEC Chairman Mr. Abdullahi Shafa, comes after a crucial meeting where the intervention of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike was reviewed.

The minister approved the release of N2 billion monthly from FCT Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), plus N3 billion from the 10 per cent IGR accruing to the Area Councils, to implement the 40 per cent peculiar allowance and settle outstanding entitlements of primary school teachers.

— Mr Abdullahi ShafaExplaining the financial commitment made by the FCT Minister to resolve the teachers' strike.

The minister's approval of a N5 billion monthly commitment is a significant development. This funding, split between N2 billion from the FCT's Internally Generated Revenue and N3 billion from the Area Councils' 10% IGR, is earmarked to address the peculiar allowance and outstanding entitlements for primary school teachers.

The minister approved a N5 billion monthly commitment to address teachers’ outstanding needs.

— Mr Abdullahi ShafaDetailing the financial package agreed upon to end the strike.

Furthermore, the minister has pledged to work with the FCT Civil Service Commission to remove preconditions for teacher promotions and review the 2024 exercise. This addresses a key concern for educators regarding career progression. The NUT has directed all teachers to resume work on Monday, April 27, with a stern warning against any form of victimization. The union also reserves the right to re-evaluate its position should the FCT administration fail to uphold the agreement, signaling a continued commitment to advocating for improved working conditions.

No teacher should be victimised for participating in the strike, noting that the council would review its position if the FCT administration failed to honour the agreement.

— Mr Abdullahi ShafaIssuing a directive against retaliation and stating the union's stance on future adherence to the agreement.
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.

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