FCT Teachers’ Strike: Education Minister Seeks Urgent Dialogue, Resolution

Worried by the months-long strike by government-owned primary school teachers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, has called for a swift resolution of the strike.

Persecondnews reports that the teachers had embarked on strike for more than 90 days, shutting down primary schools in the FCT since March this year over non-implementation of the new national minimum wage of N70, 000.

But the minister on Monday intervened in the prolong strike, acknowledging the concerns raised by the FCT wing of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) over the issue.

In a statement issued Monday in Abuja, Dr. Alausa, through the Ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Folasade Boriowo, the minister called for dialogue, unity, and a swift resolution to the ongoing FCT teachers’ strike.

He emphasized the crucial role teachers play as the backbone of Nigeria’s foundational education system.

The Minister noted that the Ministry had reviewed with concern the communiqué issued by the NUT FCT Wing following its Emergency State Wing Standing Committee (SWSC) meeting held on March 22, 2025, in Gwagwalada, Abuja.

While the administration of LEA primary schools in the FCT falls under the jurisdiction of the six Area Councils and their respective Local Education Authorities (LEAs), Alausa acknowledged the decentralised structure of governance.

He reaffirmed the federal ministry’s commitment to the welfare, dignity, and professional development of teachers at all levels.

He promised that the Ministry of the FCT, the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), the Federal Ministry of Education, and other key agencies would continue to engage constructively on the matter.

He also urged Area Council Chairmen to take proactive steps toward an amicable resolution.

“In line with the principles of cooperative governance and shared responsibility, the ministry will sustain its mediation efforts among stakeholders to foster constructive dialogue,” Alausa said.

He said this was necessary to prevent any disruption to children’s education arising from unresolved administrative challenges.

Highlighting the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, the minister outlined that reforms in basic education were already underway, including infrastructure upgrades, digital learning, curriculum modernisation, and teacher development.

“These national gains must be complemented by fairness, equity, and responsiveness to the needs of educators.”

Alausa called on all parties, unions, Area Councils, and education administrators to act in good faith, highlighting the need for dialogue, transparency, and shared responsibility to protect Nigeria’s basic education from disruptions.

Persecondnews recalls that primary school teachers in the FCT have been on strike since March 24, 2025, protesting the failure of the Area Council Chairmen to implement the new national minimum wage of N70,000 approved by President Tinubu’s administration since 2024.