The Federal Capital Territory Administration has appealed to teachers under the Nigeria Union of Teachers, FCT Wing, to suspend their indefinite strike, warning that the industrial action could severely disrupt students preparing for the West African Examinations Council exams.
The appeal was made on Monday by the Mandate Secretary of the FCT Education Secretariat, Danlami Hayyo, during an inspection visit to schools across the territory.
The NUT had on Friday directed primary and secondary school teachers in the FCT to begin an indefinite strike over unresolved welfare concerns, citing the government’s alleged failure to address their demands despite repeated engagements.
The union also pointed to worsening economic conditions and outstanding entitlements as key reasons for the industrial action.
Reacting to the situation, Hayyo expressed concern over the timing of the strike, noting that it coincides with the commencement of WAEC examinations.
He described the development as damaging to students’ morale and academic preparedness.
“I don’t think it is right for the union to disrupt the classrooms at this critical period when students are about to sit for their examinations,” Hayyo said. “How can you send children out of school today and expect them to perform well tomorrow?”
He warned that the situation could lead to poor performance among candidates, stressing that WAEC would not adjust its timetable specifically for FCT students.
“This could result in mass failure, and WAEC will not reschedule the exams for the FCT alone,” he added.
Hayyo also accused some union members of forcibly removing students and teachers from classrooms, describing the action as inappropriate.
“It is not acceptable to chase students out of school. These are children preparing for their future,” he said.
He further argued that the FCT Administration had made efforts to improve working conditions in the education sector, including school renovations and partial payment of allowances.
According to him, “over 100 schools have been renovated, and about 40 per cent of teacher entitlements for 2025 have already been paid.”
The FCTA official maintained that many of the issues raised by the union fall under the responsibility of Local Education Authorities and Area Councils rather than the FCT Administration.
He therefore urged the teachers to return to negotiations instead of continuing with the strike.
“I am appealing to the NUT to come back to the negotiation table. We must not allow this situation to worsen the out-of-school children crisis in the territory,” he said.
Meanwhile, the NUT has acknowledged the implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage and the payment of nine months’ salary arrears to primary school teachers, which it attributed to the intervention of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
However, the union insisted that several demands remain unresolved, including salary increments of 25 and 35 per cent as well as the implementation of a 40 per cent peculiar allowance.
The NUT also recalled that a committee set up in July 2025 to harmonise outstanding entitlements submitted its report in August, but said the findings have not been made public or implemented.
The union maintained that its members would continue the strike until their demands are fully addressed.
