The ongoing FCT teachers’ strike has sparked fresh public outrage, with activist Aisha Yesufu calling on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to urgently step in and resolve the crisis affecting public schools in Abuja
The strike, declared by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (FCT wing), began on Monday, April 20, 2026, over unresolved welfare concerns, unpaid entitlements, and the failure to implement a long submitted committee report Yesufu warns that continued silence from authorities could severely damage basic education in the capital city
Teachers’ Strike Shuts Down Schools in Abuja
The indefinite strike action by teachers has brought academic activities in public primary schools across the FCT to a halt According to the Nigeria Union of Teachers, the decision followed months of unresolved grievances with government authorities
Welfare and Entitlement Disputes
Teachers are demanding the immediate settlement of outstanding entitlements, which they say have been ignored for months despite official discussions
They also accused the authorities of delaying promotions and failing to address long standing welfare concerns that affect morale and productivity in the education sector
Committee Report Still Unimplemented
A major trigger of the crisis is a committee reportedly set up in July 2025 to address teachers’ welfare issues
Unreleased Findings Spark Anger
The committee, according to union sources, completed its assignment and submitted a report in August 2025 However, teachers say the findings have neither been released nor implemented
This delay has deepened frustration within the education workforce, eventually leading to the industrial action
Aisha Yesufu Speaks Out on Crisis
Human rights activist Aisha Yesufu strongly condemned the situation, describing it as avoidable if authorities had acted in time.
“Enough is Enough” Warning to Authorities
- She stated that teachers do not go on strike without being pushed to their limits, warning that the consequences will be felt most by students
- According to her, the real cost of the crisis is not political embarrassment but the disruption of children’s education across the FCT
Warnings Over Impact on Students
- Yesufu stressed that prolonged closure of schools will hurt pupils the most, especially those in early learning stages
Education at Risk in the FCT
She emphasized that children in primary schools are the most affected group, as their foundational learning is now disrupted due to the ongoing shutdown
Call for Immediate Government Action
The activist urged FCT authorities under Nyesom Wike to prioritize the resolution of the crisis before it escalates further
She warned that failure to act swiftly could weaken confidence in the public education system and deepen the ongoing learning crisis in Abuja
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