Abuja Primary School Teachers Begin Indefinite Strike
Teachers in government-owned primary schools across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, have begun an indefinite strike, disrupting education for many students. The strike follows a 14-day ultimatum issued by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), FCT Chapter, over unresolved wage and allowance issues.
Chris Oyeoku Okafor 
Teachers in government-owned primary schools across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, have launched an indefinite strike, significantly impacting education for numerous students in the region.
The strike comes after the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), FCT Chapter, issued a 14-day ultimatum to the six area councils within the territory. The decision to strike follows the councils' failure to address critical wage and allowance issues.
On Wednesday, pupils arriving at their schools were turned away as teachers instructed them to return home. Comrade Ameh Baba, Chairman of the NUT in Kubwa, confirmed the strike, citing unresolved issues as the main catalyst for this action.
“The strike is a response to the area councils’ failure to pay 60 percent of the owed minimum wage arrears,” Baba said. He further criticized the councils for not implementing a 40 percent peculiar allowance and for neglecting promised salary increments of 25 percent and 35 percent.
Baba emphasized the vital role of primary education, asserting, “The primary education sector, being the foundation of human learning, should be treated with the utmost care and priority.”
The NUT has issued a stern warning: “This strike is just the beginning. If the government fails to respond within the next seven days, we will escalate the situation by picketing the area councils’ secretariats.”
Additionally, Baba indicated that the strike could expand to secondary schools, with teachers expected to show solidarity. Concerns have also been raised about the impact on incoming Junior Secondary School (JSS) students, whose results are due for release.
