It is a big sigh of relief for parents, pupils, and teachers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as the long strike that kept thousands of children at home has finally ended. For more than three months, many primary school classrooms in Abuja were empty because teachers were demanding their unpaid salaries and other allowances.
The strike started on the twenty-fourth of March, two thousand and twenty-five, when members of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in the FCT decided they could no longer continue working without being paid. They said the government owed them salaries, the new minimum wage, and other entitlements. As the weeks went by, parents became worried that their children were losing precious learning time.
Some parents who spoke with PRUDENTJ2 said it was very difficult to keep their children busy at home. Many of the children missed their teachers, friends, and school work. Some pupils even asked their parents when they would return to school, but their parents did not have any answer.
Finally, there is good news for everyone. On Tuesday, eighth of July, two thousand and twenty-five, the teachers confirmed that they had received payment for the new minimum wage along with five months of salary arrears. The total amount paid by the government was about sixteen billion naira.
After receiving the payment, the leaders of the Nigeria Union of Teachers in the FCT held an emergency meeting in Abuja. In the meeting, they agreed that teachers would go back to work immediately. In a statement they released after the meeting, the union said that all primary school teachers in the FCT must resume work on Wednesday, ninth of July, two thousand and twenty-five.
Part of the union’s statement read:
“All primary school teachers in the FCT, with effect from Wednesday, ninth July two thousand and twenty-five, are to return to the classrooms and continue with their legitimate duties while the union intensifies more efforts to ensure the settlement of the remaining entitlements.”
The union also explained that they decided to end the strike because of the intervention of the Honourable Minister of the FCT. The Minister had called for a meeting with the union leaders on Thursday, third July, two thousand and twenty-five, and promised to pay the outstanding money. The State Wing Executive Council (SWEC) of the union then met on Friday, fourth July, two thousand and twenty-five to discuss the Minister’s offer.
After the meeting, they waited to confirm that the money had truly been paid to the teachers’ accounts. Once they saw the payment, they told the teachers to prepare to go back to the classrooms.
A teacher in one of the public primary schools in Gwagwalada, Mrs Grace Okon, told PRUDENTJ2.COM that she was very happy to go back to work. She said she missed her pupils a lot and that the long break was not good for them. She said, “Teaching is my passion. It pained me to stay at home while my pupils were at home too. But we could not work without our salaries. Now that the government has paid, we are ready to teach our children again.”
Parents have also expressed their joy over the end of the strike. Mr John Alabi, a father of three, said he was glad that his children could now return to school. He said, “My children have been disturbing me every day, asking when they will go back to school. It has not been easy to keep them at home. I am happy they can now continue their studies.”
Another parent, Mrs Fatima Musa, said the government should always make teachers’ welfare a priority because they play an important role in shaping the future of children. She said, “When teachers are not paid, it is the children who suffer the most. I hope the government will not owe them again.”
As pupils return to school, teachers are also calling on the government to pay all other outstanding entitlements that have not yet been settled. The union said they would continue to follow up to ensure that every agreement is fulfilled.
This development has brought back smiles to the faces of thousands of pupils, parents, and teachers in Abuja. Many pupils will now see their classmates and teachers again after months of waiting at home. Schools are expected to reopen in full, and normal learning activities will continue.
Education experts have advised teachers to help the pupils catch up on the lessons they missed during the strike period. They said parents should also support their children by encouraging them to focus on their studies.
Many parents hope that such a long strike will not happen again. They want the government and the teachers’ union to always find ways to settle issues quickly so that children do not lose valuable time in school.
For now, the most important thing is that schools are open once more and learning can continue for the young ones who are the future of the country.
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