Index to Nigerian Newspapers

To resolve a disruptive three-month strike by public school teachers, the six Area Council chairmen in the Federal Capital Territory have agreed to surrender 10 percent of their internally generated revenue over the next six months to clear outstanding debts. This resolution emerged from a closed-door meeting convened by the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, at his official Abuja residence, which brought together leadership from the Nigeria Union of Teachers and the National Association of Nigerian Students. The public school teachers went on strike demanding the full implementation of a tripartite agreement, which includes a 70,000 Naira minimum wage, salary arrears ranging from 25 percent to 35 percent, a 40 percent peculiar allowance, a 35,000 Naira federal wage award, and accumulated promotion benefits. Speaking on behalf of the council chairmen, the Chairman of the Abaji Area Council, Abubakar Abdullahi, acknowledged that while losing their revenue was a painful compromise, the chairmen accepted it in good faith to reopen classrooms for the pupils. The President of the National Association of Nigerian Students, Olushola Ladoja, explained that the union's demand for a 70 percent upfront payment of the owed money was successfully met through this revenue arrangement. He added that Nyesom Wike also established a committee given two weeks to address remaining demands. Moving forward, the Federal Capital Territory Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Abdullahi Shafas, stated that the union will convene an executive meeting of its state wing to officially review the resolution and decide on calling off the strike.