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As Teachers Prevent Minister from Leaving FCT Secretariat
- Safiu Kehinde
Another round of drama and chaos ensued at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) secretariat on Monday as Members of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) and Joint Union Actions Committee (JUAC) attempted to block the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, from leaving the secretariat amid renewed protest by the teachers.
The moment captured in a video shared on X by News Central showed the protesters running in numbers towards the FCT Secretariat exit gate to prevent Wike from leaving.
Prior to the action, they had stormed Wike’s convoy after spotting the Minister.
While effort to get his attention appeared futile the NUT and JUAC members, in one swoop, charged towards the FCT Secretariat exit gate as they rendered solidarity chant.
Wike however appeared to find his way out of the premises as he was alleged to have another exit route amid the intensified protest within the secretariat.
The FCT teachers, especially the primary and nursery school staff, had, for months, been at loggerhead with the Wike-led FCT Administration over poor welfare and salary structure.
They embarked on lengthy strikes over the course of the year 2025, disrupting the year’s academic calendar as students were forced to stay at home.
Efforts to broker agreement between the union of the FCTA had repeatedly proven futile as the teachers again stormed the secretariat to press home their demands.