Minimum wage: Primary School Teachers Suspend Strike.
Primary school teachers in the Local Education Authority (LEA) and workers under the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) had recently embarked on a strike.
This action was due to the failure of the six area council chairmen to implement the agreed-upon N70,000 minimum wage. The strike began after previous agreements had not been honored.
Comrade Abdullahi Ibrahim Kabi, the President of NULGE in the FCT, announced the suspension of the strike during a press briefing. This event took place on Friday at Teachers House in Gwagwalada, Abuja, after a joint meeting with executives from both unions. The suspension followed constructive discussions between the unions and the FCT administration.
The decision to suspend the strike came after the intervention of key figures such as the FCT Minister, Nyemson Wike, and the State Minister, Hajiya Mariya Mahmoud. Kabi noted that this development was based on resolutions that were reached after thorough deliberations by both unions.
Resolutions and Agreements
Among the key resolutions, Kabi emphasized the importance of improving communication between the unions and the six area council chairmen. A monthly consultative meeting was proposed, which would occur on the last Thursday of each month.
These meetings aim to foster better relations between the councils and the unions, ensuring that the workers’ challenges are addressed in a timely manner.
Additionally, a firm agreement was made regarding the implementation of the new minimum wage for all area council staff, including primary school teachers. This wage would be implemented by February 2025 without fail.
Another significant resolution was the allocation of 50 percent of the 10 percent of the FCT Internal Revenue Service (IRS) revenue accruable to the area councils. This fund would be used for the payment of arrears from the new national minimum wage starting from March 2025.
Furthermore, the joint unions reached an agreement with the area council chairmen and the FCT administration to establish a tripartite committee.
This committee, which would include representatives from both unions, the council chairmen, and chaired by Hajiya Mariya Mahmoud, the FCT Minister of State, would meet promptly with FCT Minister Nyemson Wike.
Their aim would be to ensure the implementation of the promised 40 percent peculiar allowance and salary increments of 25-35% for primary school teachers and area council staff.
Pending Entitlements and Further Demands
Kabi also mentioned that the unions had resolved with the area council chairmen that all outstanding entitlements for the area council staff, as outlined in the signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) dated October 23, 2024, would be implemented. These entitlements are a critical part of the resolution process.
Moreover, the unions demanded the immediate payment of promotion and annual increment arrears for primary school teachers within the various area councils, in line with the agreed template from March 18, 2022.
Following the agreements, the unions officially declared the suspension of the strike across all six area councils in the FCT, effective immediately. Kabi reiterated that the suspension of the strike was based on the assurance that the agreements would be adhered to by the council chairmen.
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However, the unions made it clear that should the six area council chairmen fail to comply with the resolutions, the unions would have no choice but to resume their strike action.
It is important to note that the strike had been initially resumed on January 13, 2025, after the area council chairmen did not implement the N70,000 minimum wage, despite a prior agreement. This move had led to the joint unions taking action once again.
Minimum wage: Primary School Teachers Suspend Strike
