Nyesom Wike Meets Nigeria Union of Teachers Leaders Over FCT Teachers Strike

Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has met with leaders of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Abuja over the ongoing strike by primary school teachers.

Teachers in the FCT had begun an indefinite strike following a directive issued after an emergency meeting of the union, citing unmet demands.

The union expressed concern over delays in implementing a report submitted in 2025, which addressed teachers’ demands after they suspended a previous three-month strike over unpaid entitlements.

Among the issues raised were the removal of the “vacancies” condition for promotion and a comprehensive review of the 2024 promotion exercise conducted by the FCT Civil Service Commission to ensure eligible teachers progress without hindrance.

The strike led to the shutdown of several schools across the FCT, with no students or teachers present.

Reacting to the development, the mandate secretary of the FCT Education Secretariat, Danlami Hayyo, urged the union to suspend the strike, warning it could negatively affect students preparing for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) exams.

Following the meeting with Wike, Abdullahi Shafa, chairman of the NUT in the FCT, described the discussions as fruitful but did not confirm whether the strike would be suspended.

He said the minister presented programmes aimed at supporting teachers at all levels, including primary, junior, and senior secondary schools, and acknowledged ongoing efforts to improve school infrastructure.

Shafa noted that discussions also covered teachers’ welfare, with some progress made, but added that concerns remain, particularly regarding the rights and entitlements of primary school teachers.

He expressed optimism that the engagement would lead to improvements but said the union would first deliberate internally before deciding its next course of action and communicating its position.