Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has intervened in the ongoing strike by primary school teachers in the Federal Capital Territory, urging for dialogue to resolve the dispute over the implementation of the N70,000 national minimum wage.
The teachers, under the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), embarked on an indefinite strike across the six Area Councils, demanding the payment of the approved minimum wage. The strike has disrupted education for thousands of pupils in the region.
During an inspection tour of key projects, including the International Conference Center (ICC) and the Outer Northern Expressway, Wike directed the Minister of State to engage with the teachers and initiate talks to address their concerns. He emphasized that dialogue, not strike actions, was the key to resolving the issue.
“Strike actions can never solve problems; they only create more challenges. We will do everything possible to ensure that the teachers’ concerns are addressed and they return to work,” Wike assured.
This is not the first time the teachers have gone on strike over the minimum wage issue. In November 2024, a similar strike was suspended in December 2024 following Wike’s intervention. The Minister reiterated the FCT Administration’s commitment to ensuring that the approved minimum wage is implemented for workers in the area councils.
“We understand the importance of paying our workers a living wage, and we will work with the area councils to ensure that this is done,” he said.
Wike’s proactive stance and commitment to resolving the matter offer hope that the dispute will be resolved amicably, ensuring that students can resume their education without further disruption.
