Teachers in government-owned schools across the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, have commenced an indefinite strike following the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued by the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, FCT Chapter.
The strike is primarily driven by the demand for the six area councils in the FCT to fulfill their promise to settle 60 percent of the owed minimum wage arrears.
Comrade Ameh Baba, Chairman of the NUT in Kubwa, confirmed the development, stating that a resolution had been reached before the strike was initiated. The action is intended to compel the area councils to honor their commitments to the teachers.
Comrade Ameh Baba further criticized the area councils for their failure to implement the 40 percent peculiar allowance owed to teachers, as well as the non-implementation of the 25 percent and 35 percent salary increments that were previously promised. He stressed that primary education, which serves as the foundational stage of human development, should be treated with the utmost care and priority.
The union warned that “this strike we started today is just the beginning. If the government does not respond after about 7 days, we are going to picket the area councils secretariats.
“It would also be followed with the protest as well a solidarity from the secondary schools’ teacher in the long run. But as of now it would affect the JSS 1 incoming students, because their result is due for release,” he added.
Ameh highlighted that the neglect of these critical issues undermines the quality of education and the well-being of teachers, urging the councils to take immediate steps to address the outstanding concerns.
READ ALSO : FCT primary school teachers suspend strike after Wike’s intervention
Credible News recalls that teachers in government-owned schools within the FCT initiated an indefinite strike on January 15, 2024, demanding the implementation of a 40 percent Peculiar Allowance and payment of 25 months minimum wage arrears, alongside other outstanding entitlements.
The FCT chapter of NUT Secretary, Mrs. Margaret Jethro, confirmed the development in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria. The strike was however suspended after the intervention of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who pledged to address part of the teachers’ demands.
Wike promised to settle 40 percent of the over ₦7 billion minimum wage arrears, with the payment expected to commence in January 2024 and be completed by March. The area councils were also instructed to settle the remaining 60 percent. Based on this commitment, the teachers resumed work, giving Wike the benefit of the doubt regarding the phased payment.
However, concerning the ₦8 billion debt owed for the 12-month Peculiar Allowance, Mrs. Jethro disclosed that the area councils argued that primary school teachers were not entitled to the allowance. The Minister committed to writing to the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission for clarification on the matter, as the existing circular at that time, indicated that primary school teachers, being on a consolidated salary structure, should be entitled to the allowance.
The NUT suspended a previous strike in 2023 for six weeks, awaiting the resolution of these issues, but no progress was made. Jethro warned that should these issues remain unaddressed, the union would be compelled to take further action.
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