Teachers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have once again embarked on a strike, halting academic activities in primary schools just days before the end of the first term.
The industrial action is a result of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike’s administration’s failure to implement the newly approved N70,000 minimum wage.
This is the second major strike this term, with the previous one lasting nearly three weeks in September. The latest strike, which began on December 1st, has disrupted the ongoing first-term examinations.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) issued a directive for an indefinite strike across the FCT, citing the non-payment of minimum wage arrears by the six area council chairmen. Despite a November deadline set by the NLC, the chairmen have failed to comply.
The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Kubwa has confirmed the strike, emphasizing the outstanding payment of arrears and the non-implementation of the new minimum wage for UBEC teachers. Additionally, the area councils owe teachers a N40,000 peculiar allowance and a N35,000 wage award.
The NUT has vowed to continue the strike until their demands are met, highlighting the ongoing challenges in implementing the new minimum wage across various states in Nigeria.
