Group urges Wike to resolve strikes in FCT schools, health centres

*The Association for Orphans and Vulnerable Children NGOs in Nigeria, FCT Chapter, urges Barr.  Nyesom Wike, Minister for the Federal Capital Territory, to urgently intervene in the ongoing strikes by primary school teachers and primary healthcare workers

Prosper Okoye

The Association for Orphans and Vulnerable Children Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in Nigeria (AONN), FCT Chapter, has urged Barr.  Nyesom Wike, Honourable Minister for the Federal Capital Territory, to urgently intervene in the ongoing strikes by primary school teachers and primary healthcare workers.

The AONN made the call Wednesday, June 17, 2025, during the Association’s quarterly meeting held in the FCT.

Teachers under the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) resumed an indefinite strike March 24 this year over the non-payment of the N70,000 National Minimum Wage.

Similarly, the primary healthcare workers under the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) have been on strike since January 11, 2025, due to unpaid arrears and allowances.

Consequently, health services across all six FCT area councils—Abaji, Kwali, Kuje, Gwagwalada, Bwari, and Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) have remained largely paralysed.

Commending the FCT Minister for his ongoing infrastructural initiatives, Dr. Kiema Ogunlana, AONN FCT Coordinator, however, appealed to Barr. Wike to also prioritise human development, particularly as it affects children.

Ogunlana said: “It is disheartening that children in public primary schools have been out of school, while their counterparts in private schools are concluding the third term and preparing to move to the next class in September.

“These continued disruptions in the academic calendar negatively affect children’s educational growth and contribute to the declining quality of graduates from our higher institutions.”

She also urged the striking unions to explore alternative, less disruptive means of engaging government on their demands, warning that it is the ordinary citizens who suffer the most from prolonged industrial actions.

“Imagine the plight of poor families who can hardly afford daily meals, now being forced to seek care in expensive private hospitals. This is deeply unfair,” the FCT Coordinator stated.

Dr. Ogunlana as well disclosed that AONN is planning an advocacy visit to the FCT Minister.

She noted: “We see him as a father figure and believe he will take decisive steps to address these issues and ease the burden on vulnerable families.”

Also speaking at the meeting, Oyeyemi Pitan, AONN’s FCT Public Relations Officer (PRO), described the quarterly gathering as a crucial platform for assessing and improving child protection efforts across the territory.

Pitan said: “It was also a psycho-social experience for our members.

“One of the key highlights was a mental health session that focused on self-care for caregivers.”

She averred: “We must learn to identify our stress points, take breaks, and be mindful of our emotional responses in order to serve our communities better.”

The AONN FCT Public Relations Officer explained the meeting also provided an opportunity to plan for the association’s Annual General Meeting and on how to mark the Day of the African Child.

She added: “When we talk about the African child, the image that often comes to mind is one of neglect and abandonment.

“We are working to change that narrative—not just through words, but through concrete action and investment in the lives of these children.”

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