Teachers in the Federal Capital Territory’s public primary schools will return to work on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, after the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) decided to suspend their strike, which had lasted nearly four months.
The strike was initiated due to the non-payment of the new minimum wage and five months of unpaid salaries.
The suspension decision was made during an emergency meeting of the NUT’s State Wing Executive Council (SWEC) on Tuesday night, where it was confirmed that teachers had received payment alerts regarding their outstanding dues.
This breakthrough followed the release of ₦16 billion by the six area councils, which represents six months of their 10 percent Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) as negotiated by FCT Minister Barr Nyesom Wike.
In a statement co-signed by NUT Chairman Abdullahi Shafas, State Secretary Margaret Jethro, and State Publicity Secretary Ibukun Adekeye, it was announced, “The SWEC-In-Session resolved to suspend the strike following the release of the ₦16 billion and its payment to teachers’ accounts.”
The communiqué added, “Consequently, with the implementation of the New Minimum Wage and the payment of five months’ arrears into teachers’ accounts today, July 8, 2025, the SWEC hereby suspends the ongoing strike action.”
The NUT has instructed all primary school teachers to immediately return to their duties. “All primary school teachers are to return to classrooms and resume their legitimate responsibilities while the union intensifies efforts to secure remaining entitlements,” the statement noted.
While criticising the lack of responsiveness from some educational stakeholders in the FCT, the NUT commended Barr Wike’s intervention, which it claimed prompted area council chairmen to release the funds.
“The SWEC acknowledged that while the Honourable Minister reiterated that the payment of FCT primary school teachers’ salaries is the responsibility of the Area Councils, he also recognised their financial limitations.
“He facilitated the release of six months of 10 percent IGR, totalling ₦16 billion, to cover the new minimum wage for June and 60 percent of nine months’ arrears,” the communiqué stated.
The union also welcomed the Minister’s proposal to form a special committee tasked with ‘harmonising all outstanding arrears’ and establishing a sustainable payment structure for teachers’ salaries.
In expressing appreciation to its members for their unwavering support, the NUT also acknowledged the roles played by traditional leaders, civil society organisations, and concerned citizens during the strike.
The industrial action, which began on March 24, 2025, was triggered by the non-implementation of a 2022 agreement, which included promotion arrears, wage awards, and salary adjustments.
With this partial resolution in place, teachers are expected back in schools on Wednesday as negotiations for the remaining payments continue.
