Teachers in FCT declare strike, Blast Wike over failure to meet demands

Primary school teachers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will resume their strike action starting Monday, January 15, 2024.

The decision was announced by the National Union of Teachers (NUT) FCT Wing.

The strike, which initially began in September 2023, aimed to pressure authorities to implement a 40% Peculiar Allowance and settle 25 months of outstanding minimum wage arrears. Despite a temporary suspension in October after the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, established a six-person committee to investigate the issues, teachers say progress has been slow.

The NUT FCT Wing, in a communique following an emergency meeting, expressed disappointment with the lack of tangible results from the committee’s work. “Despite meetings and reports,” the communique stated, “primary school teachers remain in a desperate situation, struggling with the rising cost of living while their rightful entitlements are withheld.”

The teachers have also said if the grievances of primary school teachers are not addressed by January 19th, secondary school teachers throughout the FCT will join the strike on January 22nd.