FCT Teachers Suspends Strike

Primary and secondary school teachers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have suspended their week-long strike following an emergency meeting of the State Wing Executive Council (SWEC) of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, FCT Wing.

The decision was reached on Sunday at the FCT Teachers’ House after the union reviewed fresh commitments made by the FCT Administration to address longstanding welfare and promotion issues.

The strike, which began on April 20, 2026, was triggered by unresolved concerns, including the non-implementation of the 2025 ministerial committee report on teachers’ entitlements and disputes over promotion conditions, particularly the controversial “vacancy” requirement.

Central to the resolution is a financial package approved by Nyesom Wike, who pledged a total of ₦5 billion monthly to meet teachers’ demands. The package comprises ₦2 billion from the FCT’s internally generated revenue and ₦3 billion from 10 per cent of Area Councils’ IGR.

According to the communiqué, the funds will support the immediate implementation of a 40 per cent peculiar allowance for primary school teachers, alongside the payment of other outstanding entitlements.

On the issue of promotions, the minister acknowledged he was previously unaware of the “vacancy” requirement affecting classroom teachers and assured the union of his readiness to engage the FCT Civil Service Commission to review the 2024 promotion exercise.

Following what it described as “exhaustive deliberations,” SWEC resolved to suspend the strike with immediate effect, directing teachers to resume duties on Monday, April 27, 2026.

The union warned that it would reconsider its position if the FCT Administration fails to honour the agreement, while also stressing that no teacher should be victimised for participating in the industrial action.

The communiqué, signed by State Chairman Comrade Abdullahi M. Shafa, State Secretary Comrade Margaret F. Jethro, and Publicity Secretary Comrade Ibukun Adekeye, commended members for their steadfastness and urged them to return to classrooms with renewed commitment to improving education in the FCT.