Public Schools Across Federal Capital Territory Deserted as Teachers Launch Indefinite Strike Action

FCT teachers embark on an indefinite strike over unresolved welfare issues. Public schools across Abuja remain deserted as the NUT demands government action.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 20, 2026, 6:12 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Politics Nigeria

Empty Classrooms Mark Start of Industrial Action

Classrooms across the Federal Capital Territory stood silent on Monday morning as the regional chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) enforced a total stay-at-home order. At institutions such as LEA Ijayapi Primary School and LEA Byazhin Primary School, doors and windows remained shuttered by 7:55 am, with no students or faculty present. The sudden desertion follows a formal directive issued by the union’s executive council during an emergency meeting held in Gwagwalada.

Unresolved Welfare Demands Trigger Union Response

The decision to paralyze the academic calendar comes after a formal review of a seven,day ultimatum originally issued to the FCT Minister on March 11. While the union acknowledged the government's recent implementation of the N70,000 national minimum wage, it emphasized that several critical welfare issues remain ignored. The council expressed frustration over what it termed "administrative silence" regarding legitimate demands that go beyond the basic salary structure.

Parents Urged to Keep Wards at Home

In a communiqué released following the Friday SWEC meeting, the NUT instructed parents and guardians to keep their children away from school premises until further notice. The union clarified that the industrial action is all-encompassing, affecting both public primary and secondary schools throughout the capital. This preemptive warning was intended to prevent students from arriving at empty facilities where no supervision or instruction would be available.