FCT Area Council Staff, Primary School Teachers Resume Strike Over Minimum Wage

ABUJA – Primary school teachers and area councils’ staff in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have resumed their suspended strike over the non-implementation of the ₦70,000 minimum wage by the six area council chairmen.

The industrial action, led by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), took effect on Thursday, February 13, 2025, following a directive issued at a press briefing on February 12.

Speaking on the decision, FCT NUT Chairman, Comrade Mohammed Shafa, said the joint union resumed the strike after exhausting all internal diplomatic mechanisms, which failed to yield results.

He noted that despite an agreement signed on December 9, 2024, to implement the new minimum wage by January 2025, the area council chairmen had reneged on their commitment.

“It is saddening to note that all six area council chairmen have failed to implement the new minimum wage as agreed. While all civil servants in the FCT have started receiving the ₦70,000 minimum wage, local government staff and primary school teachers have been left behind,” Shafa lamented.

In addition to the minimum wage, the union is also demanding:40% peculiar allowance; 25% and 35% salary increments; and 35% wage award.

Shafa warned that the strike would continue indefinitely until the area council chairmen commence implementation of the wage increase.

“The joint union of the FCT NUT and the FCT NULGE has unanimously resolved that all primary school teachers and area council staff will remain on strike until their demands are met,” the union declared.

The strike is expected to disrupt primary education and local government services across the FCT, putting pressure on the area council administrations to act swiftly.

With teachers and council staff standing firm, the standoff between the unions and the government threatens to paralyze essential services unless an urgent resolution is reached.

Toyin Adebayo is dedicated professional with over a decade experience of covering news and current events.

My background lies in gathering and analyzing facts about newsworthy events through stories, features, interview, investigation, and observation. My reports have featured in many National Dailies and currently with INDEPENDENT Newspaper.

Toyin holds a BA Ed in English Education, a member of the Nigeria Union of Journalist, National Association of Women Journalist. Married with kids.