When Learning Stops: Teachers’ Strikes and the Deepening Education Crisis in Nigeria
A public primary school in FCT-Nigeria. Source:Daily Trust
Schools Closed, Futures on Hold
In recent months, tens of thousands of Nigerian children have found themselves locked out of school gates, their classrooms deserted, their teachers on strike. In the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), more than 400 public primary schools have remained closed for nearly four months due to a protracted dispute between teachers and the government over unpaid salary arrears and allowances.
The dispute is not just about money; it’s about broken promises, eroded dignity, and a system that continues to fail those tasked with educating the nation’s children. And as the standoff drags on, the consequences are being felt not just by educators, but by families and an entire generation of learners.
The Role of Unions: Voices for a Neglected Workforce
At the heart of the recently ended strikes is the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), the largest and most influential union representing public school educators in the country. Founded in 1931, NUT has been pivotal in pushing for better wages, working conditions, and education reforms. In this particular dispute, NUT has consistently raised alarm over the government's failure to honour wage agreements and disbursements of entitlements, including the implementation of a new ₦70,000 minimum wage.
Joining the fray is the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the umbrella body for trade unions in the country, which has thrown its weight behind the striking teachers. The NLC’s intervention is part of a broader campaign to address wage stagnation and improve living conditions for public sector workers, many of whom are sinking deeper into poverty.
On the government’s side are local authorities, including Area Councils in the FCT, some of which have been accused by union leaders of diverting funds meant for teacher salaries. This breakdown of trust between workers, their representatives, and the state lies at the core of the crisis.
When the Bell Doesn’t Ring
The closure of schools affects more than just test scores. For many children, especially in working-class communities, school is not just a place for learning; it is a haven from violence, hunger, and neglect. In some neighbourhoods in Abuja, parents have reported their children turning to street vending, boda boda riding, or even hawking to pass the time.
And it’s not only the children who suffer. Many teachers, already grappling with low pay, have found themselves struggling to feed their families. The absence of salaries for months has plunged them into debt, worsened their mental health, and deepened frustration with a system they once served with pride.
A Continental Struggle
This situation is not unique to Nigeria. Across Africa, teacher strikes have become a feature of the education landscape; symptoms of deeper structural failures.
In Zimbabwe, chronic underpayment and poor conditions have pushed many educators out of the profession, with some earning less than US$50 per month.
In Kenya, the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has led numerous strikes over the past decade, protesting delayed promotions, unclear policies, and poor infrastructure.
In South Africa, educators affiliated with the South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) have also battled government over salary disparities and unequal resource allocation.
Each of these cases underscores a regional crisis in public education: governments are failing to prioritise education in both funding and policy, often at the expense of their most vulnerable citizens.
Who Pays the Price?
While unions negotiate at the top, it’s the children and families at the grassroots who pay the price. Nigeria already has one of the highest rates of out-of-school children globally, with more than 10 million children out of class. Extended teacher strikes only deepen this crisis.
The impact is long-term. Studies show that learning loss due to missed instruction can significantly reduce lifetime earnings, limit access to higher education, and entrench cycles of poverty. This is especially devastating for girls, who are more likely to be pulled into early marriage or household chores when schools remain shut for long periods.
Where Do We Go From Here?
Fixing the crisis requires more than temporary pay-offs or media statements. It demands systemic reform. That means:
Honouring collective bargaining agreements and ensuring timely disbursement of wages.
Reforming the education financing model, so salaries are not held hostage by local government politics.
Protecting learners by introducing catch-up programmes, psychosocial support, and digital learning options during prolonged shutdowns.
Empowering teachers through professional development and structured engagement in policy design.
The Nigerian government must also invest in restoring trust. Dialogue with unions must be honest, transparent, and rooted in action, not optics.
Conclusion: Education Cannot Wait
Nigeria is standing on the brink of an education disaster. If unresolved, the continued neglect of teachers’ welfare will erode the foundations of national development. It will drive qualified educators out of the system, create generational learning gaps, and feed rising social inequality.
Teachers are not enemies of progress, they are its architects. Their voices, represented through unions like NUT and supported by the NLC, must be heard and respected. Because when teachers walk out, it’s not just a job action. It’s a cry for justice. And when no one listens, an entire generation stands to lose.
References
Tribune Philippines: “Teachers Pay Dispute Shuts Nigeria Schools for Months” Link
Premium Times Nigeria: “FCT Teachers Strike: The Unfolding Crisis” – Link
Sahara Reporters: “Group Backs Protest as Teachers Languish Without Pay” – Link
The Gazette: “Abuja Teachers Strike Closes Schools” – Link
Athena Centre Policy Brief: “Options to End Public Primary School Teachers’ Strikes in FCT Abuja” – Link
Channelstv: “Benue Teachers Strike – Public Primary Schools Shut for 8 Months” – Link