Primary school teachers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have suspended their strike, which began on September 18 and led to the shutdown of academic activities across the six local council areas.
The decision was confirmed by Margareth Jethro, Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) FCT chapter, in a statement on Monday.
The strike was called off following a meeting between the union’s leadership and the Minister of the FCT, Nyessom Wike.
Jethro explained, “The minister has intervened to pay the remaining balance of 25 months minimum wage arrears. And he promised to look into the other issues after completing the payment of the minimum wage. We believed him because he has done it before.”
Recalls, the teachers had initially gone on strike to protest the failure of the six area councils to respond to their 14-day ultimatum.
The union’s demands included the payment of the remaining 60 percent of the 25-month minimum wage arrears, implementation of arrears of the 25 percent and 35 percent salary increases, and the payment of arrears of the 40 percent peculiar allowance.
Other demands listed in the communiqué issued on September 17 by the State Wing Executive Council (SWEC) included the payment of arrears of the N35,000 wage award and the correct and continuous implementation of the template on outstanding entitlements of teachers as agreed in 2022.
The FCT Minister had earlier intervened by paying 40 percent of the 25-month minimum wage arrears.
His recent commitment to pay the remaining balance was a significant factor in the union’s decision to suspend the strike.
“So we decided to suspend the strike to pave the way for him to look into other demands,” Jethro added.
The union remains hopeful that the FCT administration will address the remaining issues to prevent future industrial actions.
