FCT Teachers Suspend Three-Month Strike After Payment of Arrears, Set to Resume July 9

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has officially suspended the strike it began in March 2025, directing all affected teachers to return to their classrooms on Wednesday, July 9.

This decision was announced in a communiqué released after an emergency State Wing Executive Council (SWEC) meeting held in Abuja on Tuesday.

According to the communiqué, the suspension follows the implementation of the new minimum wage and the payment of five months’ arrears into teachers’ accounts on Tuesday, July 8.

The union stated, “All primary school teachers in the FCT are to return to their duties starting Wednesday, 9th July 2025, while the union continues efforts to secure the payment of remaining entitlements.”

The SWEC noted that the strike, which began on March 24, 2025, was called off following the intervention of the FCT Minister, who convened a stakeholders meeting on July 3. The meeting included representatives from the House of Representatives Committees on FCT and Area Councils, the FCT Head of Service, the FCT Permanent Secretary of Treasury, and NUT executives.

While criticizing the prolonged inaction of key stakeholders in the FCT’s primary education system, the union commended the minister for his proactive steps in resolving the impasse.

Among the key resolutions was the release of N16 billion—comprising six months’ worth of 10% of the Area Councils’ accrued Internally Generated Revenue (IGR)—to support the June salary payments under the new minimum wage and cover 60% of the nine months’ outstanding arrears.

The communiqué also disclosed plans to set up a special committee within two weeks to harmonize all outstanding arrears and map out a sustainable funding strategy for settling the backlog of payments.

The union acknowledged the minister’s expressed willingness for the FCT Administration to take over the full responsibility of paying primary school teachers’ salaries, pending further implementation.

In appreciation, the NUT thanked its members—especially primary school teachers—for their resilience, cooperation, and prayers during the strike. It also expressed gratitude to traditional rulers, civil society groups, and concerned individuals who supported the cause.

“Our special thanks go to the FCT royal fathers, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and all well-meaning individuals who stood by us throughout the strike,” the union said.