After weeks of classroom closures across Nigeria’s capital, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike has brokered a breakthrough deal to potentially end the teachers’ strike that began on March 24. In an emergency meeting Thursday with education leaders and local officials, Wike negotiated a temporary solution that will see 10% of funds generated by the FCT’s six area councils redirected to pay teachers’ salary arrears for the next six months.
The closed-door session brought together the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), and all six area council chairmen at Wike’s official residence. Teachers had walked out over unpaid wages and benefits promised in a December 2024 agreement, including a ₦70,000 minimum wage, overdue salary increases, and years of unpaid promotion arrears.
While legally unable to directly access council funds, Wike persuaded the reluctant chairmen to voluntarily surrender portions of their internally generated revenue (IGR) as a stopgap measure. “This wasn’t an easy decision,” admitted Abaji Area Council Chairman Abubakar Abdullahi, “but we’re prioritizing children’s education over council projects.”
The proposed deal would immediately cover 70% of owed payments, with remaining issues to be addressed by a new committee including student representatives. NUT leaders promised to urgently consider suspending the strike pending final approval from their state executive council.
This creative financial arrangement – unprecedented in FCT governance – highlights both the desperation to reopen schools and the ongoing challenges in funding public education. While providing short-term relief, it sets up a critical two-week window to find permanent solutions before the temporary funds run out.
Key Agreement Terms
✔ Immediate Relief: 70% payment of owed salaries from councils’ IGR
✔ Strike Suspension: NUT to decide Friday after internal consultations
✔ New Committee: NANS, NUT, councils to resolve residual issues within 2 weeks
✔ Painful Compromise: Council chairmen accept IGR deduction despite legal concerns
Breakdown of Teachers’ Demands
• ₦70,000 minimum wage implementation
• 25-35% salary arrears clearance
• 40% peculiar allowance
• ₦35,000 wage award payment
• Promotion arrears spanning multiple years
Why This Matters
🔹 Education Crisis: 6-week strike disrupted FCT schools
🔹 Financial Precedent: First-time IGR diversion for teacher payments
🔹 Political Calculus: Wike bypasses legal constraints for quick resolution
Stakeholder Reactions:
“We accepted this painful solution for our children’s sake”
- Abubakar Abdullahi, Abaji Council Chairman
“The 70% offer shows goodwill; we’ll consult our members”
- Abdullahi Shafas, FCT NUT Chairman
“This proves dialogue works when leaders prioritize education”
- Olushola Ladoja, NANS President
