Minimum Wage: Abuja Pupils Protest As FCT Teachers’ Strike Lingers

Primary school pupils in Abuja have staged a protest at the gate of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister’s office, prompted by the ongoing strike by FCT teachers, now in its third month.

LEADERSHIP gathered that since March 24, 2025, public primary schools across the FCT have been shut down due to the Area Councils’ failure to implement the new N70,000 minimum wage and settle long-standing wage arrears.

Leading the demonstration yesterday was popular influencer Martins Vincent Otse, also known as “VeryDarkMan.” He gathered children in school uniforms and conducted an impromptu lesson in front of Minister Nyesom Wike’s residence to draw attention to the crisis.

As the strike stretches into its 86th day, pupils remain out of school, while concerned parents await a resolution.

“For the past nine weeks and counting, all public primary schools in the Federal Capital Territory have been on strike because of issues surrounding the payment of the new minimum wage.

These children are suffering, they missed their last term examinations because the teachers are not working, and the schools remain locked,” the activist said.

“The government promised to pay N70,000 and above, depending on the teachers’ promotion levels. I decided to bring the children here to the FCTA and use the entrance as their new school. Hopefully, the government will remember them. For now, this is our new school.

“I am certain government officials will not care because their children don’t attend public schools most of them don’t even study in Nigeria. This is not what President Tinubu promised the Nigerian people.

“To the Honourable Minister of the FCT, please open our public schools. You often call these children the leaders of tomorrow. How will they lead tomorrow without basic education?” the activist asked.

During the protest, the pupils also echoed the activist’s call, urging the government to pay teachers so that schools can reopen and learning can resume.