Wike Accuses NLC of Political Motives in Teachers' Strike

Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, accused Knabayi Adalo, the FCT Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, of using the ongoing teachers' strike for political purposes, claiming it aimed to undermine the administration. Wike threatened to implement a no-work, no-pay policy against striking workers, asserting that the FCT Administration had resolved the issues raised by organized labor.

The strike commenced on October 7, following a seven-day ultimatum from the NLC regarding unresolved disputes over teachers' promotions and welfare. The NLC's demands included the removal of the vacancy requirement for promotions, reconsideration of omitted teachers from the 2025 promotion examination, and the withdrawal of demotion letters issued to education directors.

The strike has revealed divisions within organized labor, with the Trade Union Congress and the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools opposing the action, urging their members to return to work and criticizing the strike as premature and harmful to students.