NUT Orders FCT Teachers to Embark on Strike January 15

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) FCT Wing has directed all primary school teachers in the Federal Capital Territory to embark on an indefinite strike from January 15 until further notice following the failure of the FCT Administration to fulfill its demand for the implementation of 40 per cent peculiar allowance and payment of 25 months minimum wage arrears amongst others.

The directive was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of an emergency state wing Standing Committee meeting Friday to review their stand after the FCT Administration failed to resolve the issues that prompted the teachers to suspend the original plan to embark on indefinite strike on September 11, 2023 to give FCT Minister Nyesom Wike ample time for the resolution of the issues.

The communiqué was signed by the FCT NUT Chairman, Abdulahi Shafas, the Secretary, Mrs Margaret Jethro and the Publicity Secretary, Ibukun Adekeye.

The union expressed its concern that despite the fact that the six-week window conceded to the minister expired on November, 7, 2023 and the committee put in place to look into the issues had also completed its work, nothing positive had taken place.

“We are concerned that series of meetings have taken place, but the primary schools’ teachers remain in a pathetic situation and continue to bear the brunt of the high cost of living attributable to the removal of fuel subsidies without succour from anywhere.

“Saddened by the suffering of the teachers and the unwillingness of the Area Council Chairmen to pay the teachers these aforementioned entitlements, including the delay in the Honourable Minister’s intervention, the state Wing Standing Committee (SWSC) in – session has no other option than to direct all primary school teachers in FCT to resume the suspended strike to further press home her demands. The strike will take effect from Monday, 15th January, 2024,” the NUT said.

The SWSC-In-session equally resolved that if the outstanding demands of the primary school teachers were not paid before January 19, 2024, all secondary school teachers in the FCT will join in solidarity with effect from January 22 as an injury to one was an injury to all.