Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), along with the six area council chairmen, is scheduled to meet with labour leaders in Abuja on Thursday to address the ongoing strike by primary school teachers and other local government workers in the nation’s capital.
The meeting will involve representatives from the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), and the National Association of Nurses and Health Workers (NANAW). The strike, which has disrupted academic and health services across the territory, stems from the non-payment of salary arrears and other outstanding entitlements owed to union members.
Thursday’s meeting is expected to be a crucial step toward resolving the impasse and restoring normalcy across the FCT’s public schools and healthcare facilities.
A union executive member, who pleaded anonymity confirmed this on Tuesday in Abuja, noting that a meeting has been scheduled.
According to the source, the Minister’s office sent a formal invitation through the state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), requesting union leaders to attend a dialogue session with the Minister and chairmen of the six area councils.
“Yes, the invitation was sent on Monday to each union leader. They’re expected to meet with the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and the six area council chairmen in Abuja this Thursday to discuss ways to resolve the ongoing strike by teachers, council staff, and healthcare workers,” the source stated.
Abdullahi Shafas, Chairman of the FCT chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), also verified the development.
“It’s true that we have a meeting scheduled with the Minister and the area council chairmen on Thursday. However, I can’t provide more details until after the meeting,” he said.
It would be recalled that primary school teachers, health workers, and area council employees have been on strike for over three months due to unresolved labor issues.
BusinessDay