By IBRAHIM HAFSAT U19MM1047
After over three months of silence in public primary schools across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the sound of learning has finally returned to classrooms. The long and difficult strike embarked upon by primary school teachers has officially come to an end, thanks to a #16 billion bailout approved by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
The industrial action, which started on March 24, 2025, had thrown academic activities in the territory’s six area councils into limbo. Pupils were stuck at home, parents were left frustrated, and teachers continued to cry out over unpaid salaries and the non-implementation of the national minimum wage.
For many, the strike was not just a protest, it was a desperate call for attention to the years of neglect suffered by primary school teachers. Some teachers reported being owed up to five months salary arrears. Despite repeated pleas from the Nigerian union of teachers (NUT) in the FCT, the matter lingered with no sign of resolution, until recently.
Relief finally came on July 3, 2025, when Minister Nyesom Wike met with stakeholders to address the crises.
During the meeting, Wike announced that the FCT Administration would allocate 10% of the internally generated revenue (IGR) from the area councils toward settling the outstanding salaries of teachers.
This announcement gave room for hope. In a communique dated July 4, and signed by the FCT NUT chairman, Abdullahi Shafas, state secretary, Margerat Jethro, and Publicity Secretary, Ibukun Adekeye, the union acknowledged the Minister’s intervention and described it as a “bold and constructive step.”
However, the union made it clear that the suspension of the strike was conditional, the #16 billion promised must first reflect in the teacher’s accounts.
That condition was met on July 8, 2025, when the arrears was finally paid. Teachers across the territory began receiving alerts, five months of salaries at once. Alongside the payment, implementation of the new national minimum wage also began.
Following this development, the NUT directed all primary school teachers in the FCT to resume academic activities by Wednesday, July 9, 2025. Classroom that had been abandoned since March were gradually brought back to life.
“I was just happy to see the money finally come in,” said a teacher in Kuje area council, who preferred not to be named. “we didn’t want to stay away from our students, but we were left with no choice. Now, we can teach with peace of mind.”
The strike left a visible dent in the academic calendar. Pupils missed valuable learning time. Many parents had to make alternative arrangements, especially those without the means to enroll their children I private schools.
Education analysts say the strike should be a wake up call.
According to Abuja based education advocate, Mrs. Rose Elendu, “When teachers are neglected, it’s the children and, by extension, the country that suffers. Basic education must be given the priority it deserves.”
Although the strike has ended, the union has promised to continue monitoring the situation. In their communique, the NUT stressed the need for continued engagement with relevant authorities to ensure that all remaining entitlements are fully settled, and that such neglect never happens again.
For now, pupils are back in their classrooms, and teachers have returned to their duty posts. But marks the beginning of lasting reforms, not just another cycle of temporary relief.