Public primary school teachers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will return to classrooms on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, after the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) suspended its nearly four-month-old strike.
The teachers had embarked on the strike over non-payment of the new minimum wage and five months of salary arrears.
The decision to suspend the strike was taken at an emergency meeting of the NUT’s State Wing Executive Council (SWEC) on Tuesday night, where the union confirmed that teachers had received payment alerts covering the agreed financial commitments.
The breakthrough followed the release of N16 billion by the six area councils, representing six months of their 10 percent Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), as brokered by FCT Minister, Barr Nyesom Wike.
In a communique jointly signed by FCT NUT Chairman, Abdullahi Shafas; State Secretary, Margaret Jethro, and State Publicity Secretary, Ibukun Adekeye, the union said, “The SWEC-In-Session resolved to suspend the strike action on the release of the N16 billion and its payment to teachers’ accounts.”
The communique further reads, “Consequent upon the implementation of the New Minimum Wage and payment of five months arrears into teachers’ accounts today, July 8, 2025, the SWEC hereby suspends the ongoing strike action.”
The NUT subsequently directed the primary school teachers to resume work immediately.
“All primary school teachers are to return to the classrooms and continue with their legitimate duties while the union intensifies efforts to ensure the settlement of remaining entitlements,” the statement read.
While criticising the insensitivity and lack of commitment of some education stakeholders in the FCT, the NUT commended Barr Wike’s intervention, which it said pressured the area council chairmen to release the funds.
“The SWEC noted that the Honourable Minister reiterated that payment of FCT primary school teachers’ salaries is the responsibility of the Area Councils but acknowledged their financial constraints.
“He facilitated the release of six months of 10 percent IGR amounting to N16 billion to cover the new minimum wage for June and 60 percent of nine months’ arrears,” the communique stated.
The union also welcomed the Minister’s proposal to form a special committee to ‘harmonise all outstanding arrears’ and establish a sustainable payment structure for teachers’ salaries.
Expressing gratitude to its members for their unwavering support, solidarity, and cooperation, the NUT also acknowledged the roles played by traditional leaders, civil society groups, and concerned Nigerians during the industrial action.
The strike, which began on March 24, 2025, was triggered by the non-implementation of a 2022 agreement, including promotion arrears, wage awards, and salary adjustments.
With the partial resolution, teachers were expected back in schools in Wednesday as negotiations continue for the remaining payments.
