The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the FCT Administration to meet the demands of striking primary school teachers or face mass mobilisation and picketing.
The warning comes as the indefinite strike embarked upon by primary school teachers in the FCT enters its 86th day, leaving learning activities at a standstill across over 400 public primary schools within the six area councils.
Thousands of pupils have been forced to stay at home or study under appalling conditions due to the prolonged industrial action.
The strike, which resumed on March 24, 2025, was triggered by the failure of the Area Council chairmen to honour a tripartite agreement on the payment of the N70,000 minimum wage and settlement of outstanding allowances.
The agreement, signed on December 11, 2024, involved the FCT Administration, the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), and the NLC. Among its terms were the commencement of the new minimum wage payments by January 2025, staggered payment of five months’ arrears, and the use of 50% of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from the Area Councils to fund the salaries.
Despite the establishment of a tripartite implementation committee chaired by the Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, the Area Councils have yet to fulfill any aspect of the agreement.
In a strongly worded letter signed by NLC FCT Chairperson Stephen Knabayi, the union expressed frustration over the government’s inaction and warned of a planned picketing of the FCT Administration office if their demands are not addressed by Thursday, June 19, 2025.
The letter highlighted the union’s unsuccessful attempts to engage the administration, noting that previous letters dated April 24 and May 16, 2025, were ignored.
“The NLC FCT Council has written several letters requesting an audience, which have gone unanswered. Your refusal to act on our demands served on April 24, 2025, and our follow-up letter dated May 16, 2025, was noted with displeasure,” the letter read.
The NLC said it would no longer tolerate the government’s silence and called for urgent intervention to end the suffering of teachers, council workers, and health professionals across the six Area Councils.
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