From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, has called off its strike which began in March after the payment of five months’ salary arrears and implementation of the new minimum wage for the teachers.
Consequently, public primary schools across the FCT are already in high spirits to reopen after over three months.
In a statement after an emergency meeting in Abuja on Tuesday, the union instructed the teachers to return to the classrooms and continue with their legitimate duties while it intensifies efforts to ensure the settlement of the remaining entitlements.
It 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 statement recounted the events leading up to the resolution, noting the intervention of the Minister of FCT and other key stakeholders.
“Following the ongoing strike action by the primary school teachers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) from March 24, and consequent upon the intervention of the FCT minister on Thursday, July 3, the State Wing Executive Council (SWEC) of the Union held an emergency session on Friday, July 4, to deliberate on the offer made by the minister to review the strike action.” The union’s leadership expressed disappointment at the initial lack of action from the 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 stakeholders’ meeting involving the 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.”
The statement highlighted the financial measures undertaken, stating, “The SWEC in session noted that the minister reiterated that the payment of FCT primary school teachers salaries is the responsibility of the Area Councils but emphasised the inadequacy of their allocation to cater for the payment. He, therefore, offered the following: the release of the Area Councils’ six months 10 percent FCT accrued Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) amounting to N16 billion to augment for the payment of the new minimum wage for June and 60 percent 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, July; the SWEC, hereby suspends the ongoing strike action and appeals to all primary school teachers in the FCT to, with effect from Wednesday, July 9 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, saying, “Our special thanks go to the FCT royal fathers, civil society organisations (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.