The industrial action, led by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), is in protest against the non-implementation of the ₦70 000 ($43) minimum wage and unpaid salary arrears, issues that have paralysed public basic education across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Teachers downed tools in December 2024, staging two walkouts. They resumed the strike in February, and schools have remained shut ever since.
At the heart of the dispute is the failure of local area councils to honour the minimum wage signed into law by President Bola Tinubu last year. Although the federal government began paying the new rate in 2024, some area council chairmen in Abuja have reportedly failed to do the same, despite receiving increased financial allocations.
“This wage was approved by the President and budgeted for, so it’s baffling that councils in the seat of government are dragging their feet,” said journalist James Lyamghon.
Teachers say their demands are not limited to the new wage alone. They also want improved working conditions and full payment of arrears. According to Lyamghon, the strike highlights deeper issues of mistrust and poor communication between teachers’ unions and government officials.
While some councils claim to have started payments, the NUT insists the gesture is too little, too late. “Yes, a few teachers have received part of the new salary,” Lyamghon said, “but the union wants confirmation that everyone is paid and that arrears are fully settled.”
The FCT Minister recently expressed frustration, saying the funds had been released but that his hands were tied when it came to disciplining non-compliant local government chairmen. Meanwhile, public sympathy appears to be with the teachers.
“What’s particularly concerning,” Lyamghon added, “is that no learning is happening at all in these schools. Whether a teacher is unionised or not, no one has returned to the classroom. There’s a complete shutdown.”
The impact on families is immense. Parents are struggling to balance work and childcare, while pupils, especially those preparing for the national common entrance exams, face setbacks that could affect their academic future.
Many of these families lack access to digital learning alternatives. Public schools in Nigeria, particularly at the primary level, remain poorly equipped for remote education. “Even during school sessions, many children lack access to modern learning tools,” Lyamghon noted.
Some parents recently staged a solidarity protest, calling on the government to act swiftly to bring the strike to an end. But for now, the standoff continues.
Despite assurances from the National Assembly and the FCT administration that funds are available, the reasons for the continued delay in payments remain unclear. Officials say 10% of the FCT’s monthly revenue is now allocated to local councils, on top of federal allocations, but there is little transparency on how the funds are used.
--ChannelAfrica--
