As the strike by primary school teachers in the Federal Capital Territory enters its 100th day, the Federal Government has called for urgent talks to resolve the crisis that has shut down over 400 public schools since March.
The Federal Ministry of Education, through its spokesperson Boriowo Folasade, said the government values the role of teachers and is ready for dialogue to end the shutdown that has left thousands of pupils stuck at home. The strike began after the failure of the six FCT area councils to implement the N70,000 minimum wage deal signed in December 2024.
Boriowo said, “While the administration of LEA primary schools in the FCT falls under the area councils, the Ministry of Education remains committed to the welfare, dignity and professional development of teachers.”
The Nigeria Union of Teachers, FCT Wing, had earlier issued a communiqué after an emergency meeting in Gwagwalada, saying the councils had failed to honour the agreement, and that the union would not call off the strike until the full implementation of the wage deal.
Meanwhile, the National Association of Nigerian Students has threatened to stage a protest over the situation. In a notice signed by its president, Olushola Oladoja, NANS said the continued closure of schools was a serious injustice to children, especially those from poor families.
Oladoja called on student leaders to gather at the FCDA Secretariat in Abuja on Wednesday, July 2, dressed in black to show their displeasure.
Also in Abuja, women farmers under the Smallholder Women Farmers Organisation in Nigeria took to the streets to protest hunger and the lack of government support. The women, carrying placards and empty plates, gathered at the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.
One of their placards read, “We farm but our plates are empty.” Another read, “Hungry women cannot feed the nation.”
FCT Coordinator of the group, Comfort Sunday, said the women are suffering despite being farmers. She said they have received no farming inputs and accused politicians of crashing food prices without reducing the cost of inputs like fertilizer and seedlings.
“We are suffering. Even though prices have dropped, we still cannot afford food. We urge the government to release inputs on time. Farming is seasonal. If you miss planting time, you miss harvest,” she said.
She added that the government should deal directly with agro-dealers so women farmers can get cheaper supplies.
