FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike
By EMMANUEL KUJE, Abuja-
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, is set to meet with chairmen of FCT area councils, the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) to finalize modalities for reopening public primary schools in the FCT.
This development comes after NANS had planned a mass protest at the FCT Administration Secretariat, which was later suspended following productive engagements with Wike.
The teachers’ strike stems from unresolved welfare concerns, including non-payment of minimum wage and 40% Peculiar Allowance.
Wike emphasized that primary schools fall under the purview of area councils, and the FCT Administration is not directly responsible for the backlog of teachers’ salaries.
However, he intervened by proposing a bailout plan, with the FCTA covering 60% of outstanding arrears and area councils paying 40%.
“In a show of responsibility and commitment to resolving the crisis, Wike intervened by proposing a bailout—with FCTA offering to pay 60 per cent of the outstanding arrears while the area councils cover the remaining 40 per cent,” NANS National President, Olushola Oladoja said I’m a statement on Wednesday.
He said, “We reaffirm our commitment to defending the rights of Nigerian students and ensuring that no child is denied access to education due to governmental lapses.”
He also expressed grave concern over the two-month-long shutdown, describing the situation as “unacceptable” and an act of “negligence and apathy towards the educational destiny of the Nigerian child”.
Oladoja emphasized that the protest was not just about education but a fight for justice, equality, and the soul of Nigeria’s future.
He noted that NANS has suspended its planned protest, pending the implementation of all resolutions reached during the meeting.
