PUBLIC primary and secondary school teachers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are set to begin an indefinite strike on Monday, following a directive issued by the State Wing Executive Council (SWEC) of the Nigeria Union of Teachers.
The directive was contained in a communiqué released after an emergency meeting held in Gwagwalada, Abuja, on Friday. The communiqué was jointly signed by the state chairman, Abdullahi Shafa; the state secretary, Margaret Jethro; and the state publicity secretary, Ibukun Adekeye.
In the communique obtained by News Point Nigeria, the union directed all teachers to withdraw their services and await further instructions. It also advised parents to keep their children at home until further notice, stressing that the strike would continue until all its demands are fully met.
The planned industrial action follows the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum earlier issued to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, on March 11. The union had subsequently granted an additional 28-day grace period to the authorities, both of which lapsed without any response.
While acknowledging that the government had implemented the ₦70,000 minimum wage and paid nine months’ salary arrears to primary school teachers, the union maintained that several critical issues remain unresolved.
Among the concerns raised is the non-release of a report by a ministerial committee established on July 7, 2025, to harmonise outstanding entitlements and recommend measures to address recurring disputes within the education sector.
The committee, which submitted its report in August 2025, has yet to make its findings public, a delay the union said prompted the ultimatum and subsequent strike action.
The union is also demanding the immediate release and implementation of the committee’s report, a review of the 2024 promotion exercise conducted by the FCT Civil Service Commission, and the removal of the “vacancies” requirement for the promotion of classroom teachers.
According to the union, there has been no response from the relevant authorities despite the expiration of both the ultimatum and the extended grace period.
“With effect from Monday, all public primary and secondary school teachers in the FCT shall proceed on an indefinite strike until our demands are met,” the union stated.
