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By Oscar Okhifo
Thousands of students across the Federal Capital Territory were sent home on Monday as the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and other striking workers under the Joint Unions Action Committee (JUAC) enforced a sudden work stoppage, demanding that FCT Minister Nyesom Wike address their unresolved grievances.
The strike has once again disrupted schooling, leaving innocent children as the main victims of a standoff many say reflects the minister’s focus on Rivers State politics over his duties in the capital.
Schools across Abuja were reportedly closed as teachers walked out in protest, paralyzing classrooms and leaving parents frustrated.
Eyewitnesses reported that attempts by authorities to negotiate with the unions were met with resistance, as chants of “Wike must go” and “Thief, thief” echoed outside schools and government offices.
The strike comes shortly after Minister Wike returned from London, where he attended his son’s graduation ceremony, and follows the recent reopening of public schools that had been closed for over three months during a previous strike.
Many Nigerians are questioning why President Tinubu has not sacked the minister to enable him focus on Rivers State politics, arguing that his priorities appear misaligned with the urgent needs of the FCT’s residents and workers alike.
The FCT NUT has warned that the strike will continue until the minister and the FCT administration provide a concrete response on pending salary arrears, welfare issues, and other outstanding agreements.
“It is disheartening to see our children sent home like this. The government must act fast to resolve this issue,” one frustrated parent lamented.
Another parent added, “Our children have barely returned to school after more than three months of closure. Now, they are at home again because of politics. It’s unacceptable.”
As at the time of reporting, no official statement had been issued by the FCT Minister’s office regarding the strike or any negotiations with the unions.
With schools already struggling to recover from prolonged closures, parents and education stakeholders are watching closely, hoping that Minister Wike will prioritize the needs of the FCT’s students over political interests in Rivers State.
The situation remains fluid, and unless urgent interventions are made, students may face extended disruptions in their academic calendar, further compounding the challenges faced by public schools in the capital.