By Our Correspondent

National News – A human rights activist, Aisha Yesufu, has called for urgent intervention in the ongoing Federal Capital Territory (FCT) teachers’ strike in Abuja on April 20, 2026, urging FCT Minister Nyesom Wike to act swiftly.

The appeal follows the Nigeria Union of Teachers, FCT wing, commencing an indefinite strike over unresolved welfare issues, unpaid entitlements, and an unimplemented committee report submitted since August 2025.

Yesufu warned that the strike, which began after teachers withdrew services across the six area councils following directives of the union’s State Wing Executive Council, could severely disrupt basic education in the FCT.

She said the crisis stems from delayed implementation of a harmonisation committee report set up in July 2025 and submitted in August 2025, alongside stalled promotions and unresolved allowances.

She stressed that teachers are pushed into industrial action only after exhausting dialogue, adding that the impact will be felt most by pupils rather than government officials.

According to her, classrooms left empty will affect children in Primary 1 to senior levels, weakening learning outcomes and future opportunities.

The strike action reflects unresolved welfare concerns, including promotion bottlenecks and unpaid entitlements, despite previous partial interventions by authorities.

Yesufu urged Wike to release the report, implement agreed resolutions, and restore stability to public schools.

She emphasised that leadership requires immediate action to prevent further decline in public education and restore trust in governance systems.

She further noted that prolonged strike action risks eroding confidence in public education delivery in the capital territory.

Stakeholders were urged to prioritise children’s welfare and ensure swift administrative resolution.