The joint union of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) and National Association of Health Workers Union (NAHWU) has instructed its members across the six area councils of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to prepare for a three-day mass peaceful protest in Abuja, beginning Monday, June 23, 2025.
The action follows the expiration on Wednesday of a seven-day ultimatum issued by the FCT council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) demanding that the FCT administration address long-standing salary arrears, promotions and other entitlements for primary school teachers, council staff and health workers.
An executive member of one of the unions, speaking by telephone on Wednesday, confirmed that an earlier demonstration scheduled for June 19 was postponed to allow workers more time to mobilize.
“Consequently, all well-meaning individuals have already been asked by the leadership of the joint union to ensure they get prepared to come out en masse on Monday, June 23, 2025, in order to embark on a three-day peaceful mass protest in Abuja, because of the inhuman treatment meted out to the primary school teachers and health workers in the FCT,” he said.
The warning follows a joint executive council meeting held last week between the three unions and the FCT NLC under the leadership of Comrade Stephen Knabayi, during which a seven-day deadline was given to the FCT minister, Nyemson Wike, to settle outstanding claims or face picketing. That deadline elapsed without any response from the FCT administration.
For the past two months, primary schools, health centres and area council secretariats across all six area councils have been closed, as council chairmen failed to pay salary arrears, process promotions or release other entitlements.
Two weeks ago, Minister Wike acknowledged the strike and pledged to resolve the unions’ demands, but no payments have been made to date.
Comrade Ibukun Adekeye, publicity secretary of FCT NUT, reiterated on Wednesday that the protest will begin on June 23. He urged members to stay ready and continue coordinating through local union offices ahead of the demonstration.
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