By Toba Owojaiye
Abuja, Nigeria
In a bold and theatrical protest, popular social activist VeryDarkman stormed the residence of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, clad in a school uniform and flanked by school pupils. The protest was aimed at drawing urgent attention to the ongoing 9-week strike by primary school teachers across the FCT, a crisis that has shut down public education and displaced thousands of students.
Truth Live News gathered that the protesting pupils carried placards and chanted slogans decrying the government’s silence, as VeryDarkman used the symbolic attire to emphasize the plight of young learners who have been locked out of classrooms for over two months.
At the heart of the strike are unpaid salary arrears and the failure to implement the ₦70,000 minimum wage. Despite the release of ₦4.1 billion in April 2024 by the FCT Administration to address salary issues, teachers report they are still receiving only ₦30,000 monthly, an amount many describe as dehumanizing amid rising inflation and the economic cost of living.
The protest puts further spotlight on Minister Nyesom Wike, who, while widely praised for his aggressive infrastructure drive and bold urban renewal projects, is being criticized for neglecting the education sector. Many point to the ₦39 billion renovation of the International Conference Centre (ICC) as evidence of misplaced priorities, especially when public schools across the capital territory remain shuttered.
Observers note that while Wike has scored major points on roads, bridges, and beautification, the long-term health of the FCT depends not just on concrete and steel, but on investing in people, especially the young. Ensuring the smooth running of public primary education and healthcare services is seen as critical to giving his achievements a well-rounded, enduring gloss.
Talks between the teachers’ union and the FCT Administration have stalled, with unions insisting on the full payment of arrears and immediate implementation of the minimum wage. Meanwhile, a growing number of students have been seen hawking on the streets to support their families, a grim reminder of the strike’s impact on vulnerable households.
As the standoff continues, VeryDarkman’s protest has reignited public outrage and placed fresh pressure on the government to act, not just in laying asphalt, but in upholding the future of education.