National Assembly Steps In To Resolve FCT Teachers’ Strike Crisis.
The National Assembly has launched a probe into the ongoing strike by public primary school teachers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), which has now entered its third month, bringing hope for a resolution to the crisis disrupting education across the region.
The industrial action, spearheaded by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), stems from the non-payment of the N70,000 minimum wage and other entitlements allegedly withheld by area council chairmen. The strike, which began with boycotts in December 2024, resumed in February and has persisted through March and April, leaving countless pupils without access to education.
Last week, frustrated teachers and local government employees staged a protest at the Area 11 office of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, demanding urgent action. In response, Wike revealed that over N4 billion had been disbursed to the area councils to cover wages and entitlements. He lambasted the council chairmen for failing to distribute the funds appropriately and summoned them for an emergency meeting.
On Tuesday, representatives from the teachers’ union met with the National Assembly, with further talks scheduled for next week, according to Stephen Knabayi, FCT Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). Knabayi confirmed that the council chairmen have been directed to submit detailed financial records of their allocations and expenditures by Friday. The Permanent Secretary of the FCTA Treasury Department has also been called to clarify the situation.
The Treasury Department claims it released N4.1 billion to the councils, but the chairmen insist they have not received the funds meant to resolve the workers’ grievances. To address the discrepancy, a committee has been established to investigate the financial claims and propose solutions.
Despite these developments, Knabayi expressed scepticism about the process, accusing authorities of stalling. “For us, all these things—they’re just buying time. We don’t believe them. Our action continues,” he said, adding that the union would decide by tomorrow whether to resume street protests on Monday or Tuesday.
The National Assembly’s intervention has sparked cautious optimism among parents and pupils, who are eager for schools to reopen. However, with tensions high and trust in short supply, the coming days will be critical in determining whether this inquiry can end the deadlock and restore normalcy to FCT’s public primary schools.