Teachers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, have launched a strike over unpaid salaries, just days before the conclusion of the first-term exams. This action has left students, who arrived at school on Monday, unable to complete their exams, as they were sent home due to the ongoing strike.

The strike, which started in late November, has disrupted the education of primary school students across the region, adding to a series of strikes that have plagued the sector. The most recent strike, which lasted three weeks from September 18 to October 7, was suspended only after the Nigeria Teachers’ Union (NUT) secured promises of payment. However, many teachers say the promises have not been fulfilled.

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Comrade Ameh Baba, Chairman of the Nigeria Teachers’ Union (NUT) in the Kubwa chapter, explained that the strike was triggered by the failure of area council chairmen to implement the N70,000 minimum wage for teachers, a promise that was due by December 1. He confirmed that the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, had approved the new wage, but teachers say they are still waiting for payments, particularly those in the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).

Teachers are also waiting on a peculiar allowance of N40,000 and a N35,000 wage award that have been overdue for nearly a year. Baba stated that the strike will continue until these payments are addressed and the teachers’ demands are met.