"VeryDarkMan Stages Protest Over Prolonged Abuja Teachers’ Strike: Calls Out Wike, Teaches Pupils in the Streets"

byNaijaRush Published:

 




In a bold and emotional demonstration that caught the attention of many Nigerians both online and offline, controversial social critic and activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), took to the streets of Abuja on Saturday, June 22, 2025, to protest the ongoing strike by primary school teachers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

For over 90 days, public primary schools in Abuja have remained shut down, leaving thousands of children at home without access to formal education. This long-drawn-out industrial action, which started on March 24, 2025, has become a matter of national concern, and VDM decided it was time to take the message directly to the doorstep of the Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory.

Street Classroom: VDM's Satirical Open-Air Protest

In an unusual but symbolic protest, VeryDarkMan gathered dozens of children—still dressed in their school uniforms—right outside the gate of the FCT Ministry. But this was no ordinary demonstration. VDM transformed the protest into a makeshift classroom, teaching the pupils the English alphabet in a humorous yet politically charged manner.

“S for Suegbe, T for Tinubu, W for Wike,” VDM chanted as the children loudly repeated after him.

The chant was a clear jab at the political leadership, especially President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, both of whom VDM indirectly blamed for the silence and inaction surrounding the ongoing crisis. By using satire, VDM conveyed a powerful message about the state of basic education in Nigeria, especially within the FCT—the seat of power.

The Root of the Strike: ₦70,000 Minimum Wage Crisis

The current strike by Abuja's public primary school teachers is not without cause. It stems from the failure of Area Council Chairmen to implement the new ₦70,000 national minimum wage.

Teachers in Nigeria, particularly at the primary level, have long complained of poor salaries and lack of welfare. With the Federal Government's approval of a new minimum wage in early 2025, hopes were raised across the country. But implementation has remained uneven, especially in local government areas where budget constraints or political disagreements have delayed payments.

For FCT teachers, their patience finally ran out in March when they downed tools in protest. Since then, pupils have remained at home, and the Area Council Chairmen—who are directly responsible for primary education—have yet to meet the wage demands.

FCT Officials Respond: 'It’s Mostly a Local Government Issue'

During a previous protest, Bitrus Garki, the Mandate Secretary of the Area Councils Services Secretariat, addressed the protesters. He clarified that while the FCT Administration had stepped in to mediate, the primary responsibility lay with the Area Councils themselves.

“The FCT administration has been intervening in Area Council matters,” Garki said. “This responsibility is largely the responsibility of the Area Councils. But because this is the state and we also have a relationship with the local government, that is why we come in to intervene in many cases—not just schools—including infrastructure, and many other things.”

His statement, while informative, did little to ease public frustration. Many see the prolonged strike as a reflection of poor governance and a lack of urgency by both the FCT Administration and local authorities.

VDM Issues Ultimatum: More Protests to Come

Not satisfied with official responses, VDM issued a strong seven-day ultimatum to the FCT Administration during his protest. He warned that failure to resolve the teachers' strike within that timeframe would lead to an even larger protest involving more children from across Abuja.

“We have decided to give them a week. If they don’t do anything and the children are not back in school, we will invite students from the whole FCT to come,” VDM threatened.

This public warning was a call to action—not just to the government but to the Nigerian public, to wake up and demand better conditions for the nation's children and their educators.

From Education to Healthcare: VDM Expands His Campaign

During the same protest, VDM revealed that his next target would be the ongoing strike by primary healthcare workers, who are also affected by the non-payment of the ₦70,000 minimum wage. Many workers in public health facilities, especially at the primary level, have stopped offering services due to poor salaries and working conditions.

“Today is for the students. We are going to do for primary healthcare. It’s just for Wike to be seeing. We are not fighting him. Let him just see so that he will remember, maybe he has forgotten. He’s stressed. He nearly fell from the plane. He’s preparing for the 2027 elections, but he has forgotten,” VDM said.

This remark about Minister Nyesom Wike nearly falling from a plane may have been exaggerated or symbolic, but it underscored VDM’s belief that the minister is distracted by political ambitions rather than focusing on his current duties in the FCT.

Public Reactions: Support and Criticism

VDM’s protest has sparked widespread reactions on social media, with many Nigerians praising him for using his platform to advocate for children and workers. His unique protest style—mixing activism, satire, and media visibility—has once again positioned him as a vocal watchdog in Nigeria’s socio-political space.

Some critics, however, argued that involving children in street protests could be seen as exploitation or a security risk, even if the intention was noble. Others questioned why the Minister of Education and other top government officials have remained silent on the matter.

Still, the overwhelming sentiment has been one of frustration with the state of governance and admiration for a citizen using his influence to bring public attention to real issues.

Conclusion: When Will the FCT Teachers Return to Classrooms?

The question now remains: Will the FCT Administration and Area Council Chairmen finally resolve the teachers' strike and bring pupils back to school?

With mounting pressure from activists like VeryDarkMan, growing public dissatisfaction, and the undeniable impact on the future of Nigerian children, the authorities can no longer afford to remain inactive.

The longer the strike persists, the more damage it does—not just to education—but to public trust in the government’s ability to protect and serve its most vulnerable populations.

If nothing is done in the coming days, the FCT may see even larger protests, this time not just from one man and a few pupils, but possibly a united mass of teachers, students, healthcare workers, and concerned citizens demanding the basic right to education and fair wages.





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