Primary school teachers in Abuja have said that they will partake in the mass protest of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) on July 2, 2025. The closure of public primary schools in the state on March 24 is soon nearing its 100th day.
Pupils of over 400 pupils have been forced out of school since the shutdown. The strike stems from the failure of FCT’s six Area Councils to implement a ₦70,000 minimum wage agreement stipulated in a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding signed in December 2024.
Despite appeals and negotiations, no resolution has been reached.
NANS expresses its frustration and affirms that it is “unacceptable.” It said that the situation is a grave injustice to Nigerian children, especially those from low-income families who rely heavily on public education.
The Federal Ministry of Education has asked for a dialogue. However, the student body issued a seven-day ultimatum to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike to reopen schools, with no progress. They have resolved to take to the streets in protest alongside teachers.
The protest aims to pressure authorities to resolve the crisis, fulfil wage commitments, and restore access to education for affected pupils.
Meanwhile, new tensions further complicate the resolution. The teachers are accusing the local Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in FCT, Comrade Stephen Knabayi, of undermining their cause.
Civil society groups have also staged peaceful protests, urging the government to fulfil its obligations, including payment of salary arrears and implementation of the minimum wage agreement.
With the strike persisting, the education of thousands of children remains disrupted, exacerbating educational inequality and social risks. The upcoming mass protest aims to pressure the FCT Administration and the federal government to act decisively to end the strike and reopen schools, restoring access to basic education for affected children.
