Public primary school pupils in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) remain out of classrooms as the strike by teachers under the FCT wing of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) enters its sixth month. The industrial action, which began in January 2025, has continued without resolution, disrupting both second and third terms of the 2024/2025 academic calendar.
At the time of this report, schools across the six area councils—Abaji, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, Kwali, and Abuja Municipal—have remained closed. The teachers are demanding full implementation of the national minimum wage, payment of promotion arrears, and improved welfare, especially for those under the Local Education Authorities (LEAs).
The strike has now entered the seventh week of the third term, which typically ends in July or early August. With no learning taking place, educationists and parents fear the complete loss of an entire school year for public primary school pupils in the nation’s capital.
Speaking on the crisis, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike acknowledged the situation but shifted the responsibility to the National Assembly. He stated that the matter primarily concerns the area councils, not the FCT Administration directly. His remarks, however, have sparked criticism from stakeholders who argue that a coordinated effort among all relevant authorities could quickly resolve the issue.
One parent, Mr. Dauda Olayemi, expressed concern to The Nigeria Education News, saying, “These are children we’re talking about. While politicians push responsibilities among themselves, our kids are losing the foundation of their education.”
Although Wike has made public statements, critics argue that leadership at both the federal and local levels appears indifferent. Observers note that while major infrastructural projects such as roads and bridges are being commissioned across Abuja, basic education in public schools has been left in a state of paralysis.
A senior official of the FCT Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB), who requested anonymity, confirmed that dialogue with the striking teachers has stalled. “There have been attempts to bring the union and the council chairmen to the table, but trust has broken down over unmet promises from previous negotiations,” the official said.
Meanwhile, the NUT maintains that it will not back down until concrete actions—not just verbal assurances—are taken. The union says the welfare of teachers directly impacts the quality of learning and must not be treated as an afterthought in the nation’s capital.
As the third term continues to tick away, concerned educators warn that the prolonged disruption may widen learning gaps between students in public and private schools. According to UNESCO, Nigeria already has over 10.5 million out-of-school children, a figure that may grow if the FCT crisis is not addressed urgently.
Efforts to reach spokespersons for the six Area Council Chairmen yielded no official responses at the time of filing this report. With the school calendar nearing its close, parents and educators alike are appealing to the FCT Administration, the National Assembly, and the Area Councils to act decisively to salvage what remains of the academic year.
