From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Public primary schools across the Federal Capital Territory are set to reopen as the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has called off its strike, which began in March. The decision followed the payment of five months’ salary arrears and the implementation of the new minimum wage for teachers.
In a communique issued after an emergency meeting in Abuja on Tuesday, the union instructed all teachers to resume work on Wednesday, July 9.
The statement explained that the strike’s suspension was “consequent upon the implementation of the new minimum wage and payment of five months arrears into the teachers’ accounts today, 8th July 2025.”
The NUT urged its members: “All primary school teachers in FCT to, with effect from Wednesday, 9th July 2025 return to the classrooms and continue with their legitimate duties while the union intensifies more efforts to ensure the settlement of the remaining entitlements.”
The union revealed plans to set up a special committee within two weeks to address outstanding arrears and develop a sustainable funding solution for teachers’ salaries. The communique recounted the events leading up to the resolution, noting the intervention of the Honourable Minister of FCT and other key stakeholders.
“Following the ongoing Strike Action by the Primary School Teachers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) from the 24th of March 2025 and consequent upon the intervention of the Honourable Minister of FCT on Thursday 3rd July 2025, the State Wing Executive Council (SWEC) of the Union held an emergency session on Friday 4th July, 2025 to deliberate on the offer made by the Honourable Minister end to review the strike action.”
The union’s leadership expressed disappointment at the initial lack of action from education stakeholders but commended the minister’s efforts. “The SWEC in-Session lamented the insensitivity and lack of commitment of the Primary School Education stakeholders in the FCT, but applauded the intervention of the Minister, Nyesome Wike on the impasse through the Stakeholder meeting involving the Chairman, House Committee on FCT, Chairman, House Committee on FCT, Area Councils and ancillary matters, FCT Head of Service, FCT Permanent Secretary Treasury, Executives of the NUT and a host of others.”
Funding and Future Safeguards
The communique highlighted the financial measures undertaken, stating: “The SWEC In Session noted that the Honourable Minister reiterated the payment of FCT primary school teachers salaries as the responsibility of the Area Councils but emphasised the inadequacy of their allocation to cater for the payment and therefore offered the following: 1) The release of the Area Councils six months 10% FCT accrued Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) amounting to N16 billion to augment for the payment of the new minimum wage for June and 60% of its nine months arrears.”
The union resolved to suspend the strike after the N16 billion was released and credited to teachers’ accounts. “Consequent upon the implementation of the New Minimum Wage and payment of five months Arrears into the Teachers accounts today, 8th July 2025; the SWEC, hereby suspends the ongoing Strike action and appeals to all Primary School Teachers in FCT to, with effect from Wednesday, 9th July 2025 return to the classrooms and continue with their legitimate duties while the Union intensifies more efforts to ensure the settlement of the remaining entitlements,” the statement read.
The NUT extended gratitude to its members and supporters: “Our special thanks go to the FCT royal fathers, Civil Society Organizations, CSOs and other well-meaning individuals who, in one way or the other intervened and stood by us during the strike.” The union also praised the solidarity and patience of teachers throughout the industrial action.
Schools are expected to resume normal activities as teachers return to classrooms, while the union continues negotiations to secure full payment of outstanding benefits.