The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Federal Capital Territory Wing, is set to decide the next phase of its ongoing strike following a meeting with the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, on Thursday.
Although the discussions were described as productive, with the union acknowledging what it termed “ministerial commitment” to resolving long-standing issues, the industrial action has not been suspended. Union leaders said they would return to their base for further consultations.
Chairman of the NUT FCT Wing, Abdulahi Shafa, told journalists that a final position would only be taken after members have been consulted.
“We will go back to the house and look at what has been discussed with the minister and know the next line of action,” he stressed.
Shafa explained that the meeting addressed key concerns affecting teachers across primary, junior, and senior secondary schools, including unpaid allowances, manpower shortages, and the role of Area Councils in funding basic education.
“It was a very fruitful meeting. The minister has promised immediate action on the issues we raised—some of which he was previously not fully aware of,” he said.
He further noted that broader discussions also touched on school infrastructure upgrades and administrative improvements within the FCT education system.
“We appreciate the minister. He is into renovations and restructuring some of our schools, which is a pathway. The rights of our members are being discussed and being settled,” he pointed out.
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According to him, challenges are most severe at the primary school level, especially regarding welfare and entitlements.
“The only area where we have greater problems is the primary school level, where there are shortcomings in rights and entitlements,” he said.
On its part, the FCT Administration said steps have already been taken to address funding gaps in basic education.
Wike disclosed that Internally Generated Revenue allocations from Area Councils have been redirected to ensure direct payment of teachers’ allowances, describing it as part of efforts to address what he called the councils’ “sole responsibility” to basic education workers.
The union is expected to reconvene after internal deliberations and announce its final decision in the coming days.
The strike began on Monday following an emergency meeting held in Gwagwalada over the weekend, where the State Wing Executive Council directed teachers across the FCT to embark on an indefinite withdrawal of services.
The action followed the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued to the FCT Minister over unresolved welfare concerns.
While acknowledging the payment of the new minimum wage and some salary arrears, the union maintained that several demands remain unmet, including the implementation of a committee report on teachers’ welfare, promotion issues, and other outstanding entitlements.