The State Wing Executive Council (SWEC) of the Nigeria Union of Teachers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has announced the suspension of its ongoing strike, with immediate effect.
The decision was made public on Sunday in Gwagwalada by the SWEC Chairman, Abdullahi Shafa, who explained that it followed an emergency meeting convened to assess recent developments in the dispute, including the intervention of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
According to Shafa, the minister’s intervention included a financial commitment aimed at resolving key issues affecting teachers in the territory. He disclosed that a total of N5 billion would be allocated monthly to address outstanding entitlements and improve teachers’ welfare.
“The minister approved the release of N2 billion monthly from FCT Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), plus N3 billion from the 10 per cent IGR accruing to the Area Councils, to implement the 40 per cent peculiar allowance and settle outstanding entitlements of primary school teachers,” he said.
On matters relating to career progression, Shafa noted that the minister also pledged to engage the Chairman of the FCT Civil Service Commission to address concerns around teacher promotions. This includes plans to remove the vacancy requirement that currently limits promotions and to review the 2024 promotion exercise.
Following the resolution reached with relevant stakeholders, the council has directed all primary and secondary school teachers in the FCT to resume duties on Monday, April 27.
Shafa further assured members that no teacher would face victimisation for participating in the strike, adding that the council would not hesitate to reconsider its stance if the FCT administration fails to implement the agreed measures.
He commended teachers for their unity and resilience throughout the industrial action and reiterated the council’s commitment to securing improved working conditions and welfare for educators in the FCT.
