By Samson Adebayo
ABUJA- Public primary and secondary school teachers in the Federal Capital Territory,FCT, have declared an indefinite strike beginning Monday, April 20, 2026, over unresolved welfare issues, unpaid entitlements and delayed promotions.
The directive was issued by the Nigeria Union of Teachers ,NUT, FCT Wing, after an emergency meeting of its State Wing Executive Council ,SWEC, held in Gwagwalada, Abuja.
In a communique signed by the State Chairman,Abdullahi Shafa; State Secretary, Margaret Jethro and State Publicity Secretary, Ibikun Adekeye, respectively, the union said the action followed the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum earlier issued to the FCT Minister, as well as an additional 28-day grace period granted to authorities to address the teachers’ demands.
Although the union commended the Minister for facilitating the implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage and payment of nine months’ arrears to primary school teachers, it said several key issues remain unresolved.
According to the NUT, a committee set up by the Minister in July 2025 to harmonise outstanding entitlements and recommend permanent solutions to recurring industrial disputes completed its assignment and submitted its report in August 2025.
“However, the report has yet to be released or implemented, “it said.
The union is demanding the immediate publication and implementation of the report on teachers’ outstanding entitlements.
It is also calling for the removal of the “vacancy” condition attached to the promotion of classroom teachers and a review of the 2024 promotion exercise conducted by the FCT Civil Service Commission.
The union warned that the continued silence of authorities on teachers’ welfare amid rising economic hardship poses a threat to the stability of education in the territory.
“As from Monday, 20th April 2026, all public primary and secondary school teachers in the FCT shall proceed on an indefinite strike until the demands of the union are met,” the communiqué stated.
The NUT directed all affected teachers to comply fully with the strike order and advised parents to keep their children and wards at home until further notice.
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