By Zainab Bakare
Teachers and students of LEA Ijayapi Primary School and LEA Byazhin Primary School in the Abuja Municipal Area Council stayed away from school on Monday in compliance with the indefinite strike declared by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The State Wing Executive Council (SWEC) of the NUT had directed all public primary and secondary school teachers across the FCT to embark on the strike, effective Monday.
The directive followed an emergency meeting held in Gwagwalada, Abuja, on Friday. The communiqué was jointly signed by State Chairman Abdullahi Shafa, State Secretary Margaret Jethro, and State Publicity Secretary Ibukun Adekeye.
Teachers were instructed to comply fully and await further directives, while parents were advised to keep their children at home until further notice.
The union said the action followed the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, on March 11, which lapsed on March 29.
Although the union acknowledged the implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage and payment of nine months’ salary arrears, it said several key issues affecting teachers’ welfare remain unresolved.
The NUT recalled that a committee set up on July 7, 2025, to address teachers’ entitlements submitted its report in August 2025.
However, the union expressed concern that the report has neither been made public nor implemented, despite repeated calls.
It said the delay, coupled with rising economic challenges, prompted the decision to resume industrial action after an additional 28-day grace period yielded no response.
Key Demands and Government Silence
Among its demands, the union is calling for:
• Immediate release and implementation of the committee’s report
• Removal of the “vacancies” condition tied to teachers’ promotion
• Review of the 2024 promotion exercise
The union said the strike would continue indefinitely until the government addresses its demands, warning that teachers will remain off duty until concrete action is taken.
