Popular activist and social media influencer, Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), on Monday, took his advocacy to the gates of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, in a bold protest against the ongoing primary school teachers’ strike in the FCT.
Wearing a school uniform alongside several children, VDM organized a symbolic open-air classroom in front of the FCT Minister’s office in Abuja, where he taught basic literacy to pupils affected by the more than 90-day strike, which began on March 24, 2025.
“S for Suegbe, T for Tinubu, W for Wike,” VDM chanted as the children echoed after him, highlighting his criticism of Nigeria’s leadership amid worsening education and wage crises.
Why Are FCT Teachers on Strike?
The prolonged industrial action is driven by the failure of Area Council Chairmen to implement the ₦70,000 national minimum wage for primary school teachers in Abuja. The strike has left thousands of pupils across the territory without education for over three months.
FCT Administration Responds
Addressing the protesters, Bitrus Garki, Mandate Secretary of the Area Councils Services Secretariat, stated that although the matter primarily falls under the purview of local government councils, the FCT administration has been actively intervening.
“This is largely the responsibility of the Area Councils,” Garki said. “However, because we share administrative overlap with them, we’ve been working to mediate, especially through dialogue with unions like NUT, NULGE, and NLC.”
He noted that even traditional rulers have stepped in to help mediate the crisis, and discussions are ongoing, though no specific resolution date has been provided.
VDM Issues One-Week Ultimatum to Wike
Unsatisfied with the pace of government response, VeryDarkMan issued a seven-day ultimatum, vowing to escalate the protest if no concrete actions are taken to get the children back to school.
“We’ve given them a week. If they don’t act, we’ll bring more students. Today is for students. Tomorrow is for primary healthcare workers, who are also yet to receive the ₦70,000 minimum wage,” he said.
He clarified that the protest is not a personal attack on Minister Wike but a call for attention and urgent intervention.
“Wike is preparing for 2027, but he has forgotten these children. He’s stressed. He nearly fell from a plane. So, this is a reminder,” VDM added sarcastically.
VDM also revealed that the next phase of his movement will focus on the plight of primary healthcare workers, who, like teachers, have also been denied the new national minimum wage.
“We are switching attention to the healthcare sector tomorrow. This fight is for justice, education, and basic human rights,” he said.
As the 2025 FCT teachers’ strike stretches into its fourth month with no resolution in sight, VeryDarkMan’s unconventional protest tactics are drawing national attention to the plight of schoolchildren and frontline workers.
With political tensions rising ahead of the 2027 general elections, many are watching to see if this movement will force long-overdue action from local and federal authorities.
