Activist Aisha Yesufu has urged the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to step in quickly to resolve the ongoing teachers’ strike in Abuja, warning that the situation could disrupt basic education if not addressed.
She made this call on Monday following the decision of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, FCT wing, to begin an indefinite strike over welfare concerns.
The strike started on April 20, 2026, after the union said issues affecting teachers had remained unresolved for months. Among the concerns raised were unpaid entitlements and the delay in implementing a committee report that was completed and submitted in August 2025 after being set up in July of the same year.
Yesufu described the strike as avoidable, noting that teachers usually reach such a point only after prolonged frustration. She stated that when teachers stop working, it is often a result of pressure from unresolved issues rather than choice. She added that the impact of the strike would mainly affect schoolchildren, especially those in early stages of learning.
According to her, information from the union shows that the committee set up to handle teachers’ welfare had already concluded its work, yet its findings had not been made public or acted upon. She also pointed to delays in promotions and unresolved benefits as part of the problems affecting teachers.
She warned that a prolonged shutdown of classrooms would affect pupils across the territory, particularly young learners who depend on daily teaching to build basic skills. She added that many children rely on education as a pathway to a better future, and any disruption could affect their progress.
Addressing the minister directly, Yesufu called for immediate steps to prevent further damage to the education system. She urged the authorities to release the committee report, implement its recommendations, and resolve issues around promotions and teachers’ welfare.
The union had earlier directed all teachers in the six area councils of the FCT to withdraw their services after an emergency meeting in Gwagwalada. The action followed what the union described as continued delays in addressing their demands.
Although the FCT Administration had taken steps in the past, including implementing a new minimum wage and paying part of the arrears, concerns about outstanding benefits and career progression have continued to cause tension.
Yesufu warned that continued delay could reduce confidence in public education and called for urgent intervention to prevent long-term effects on students and the school system.