The Federal Ministry of Education has expressed deep concern over the communiqué issued by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), FCT Wing, after its Emergency State Wing Standing Committee (SWSC) meeting held on March 22, 2025, in Gwagwalada, Abuja.
In response, the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, acknowledged the union’s concerns about the implementation of the New National Minimum Wage for primary school teachers in the Federal Capital Territory, stressing that teachers remain the backbone of Nigeria’s foundational education system.
While the management of LEA primary schools in the FCT falls under the six Area Councils and their Local Education Authorities (LEAs), the Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to protecting teachers’ welfare, dignity, and professional development nationwide.
Dr. Alausa assured that the Honourable Minister of the FCT, Barr. Nyesom Wike, CON, alongside the Ministry, the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), and other key agencies, will continue to engage relevant stakeholders and encourage the Area Council Chairmen to resolve the matter amicably.
Reiterating its dedication to cooperative governance and shared responsibility, the Ministry pledged to sustain its mediation efforts to promote constructive dialogue and prevent any disruption to children’s education due to unresolved administrative challenges.
Under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the Ministry is driving reforms in basic education, covering infrastructure development, digital learning, curriculum modernization, and teacher training. Dr. Alausa emphasized that these national strides must be supported by fairness, equity, and responsiveness to educators’ needs.
The Ministry, therefore, called on all stakeholders—unions, Area Councils, and education administrators—to prioritize dialogue, transparency, and shared responsibility to safeguard the integrity of Nigeria’s basic education system against avoidable strikes and disruptions.
Elijah Adeyemi
