VeryDarkMan Leads Schoolchildren in Protest at FCT Minister’s Gate Over Teachers’ Strike

By Emmanuel Kwada

Social media influencer and activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), staged a dramatic protest outside the residence of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike in Abuja today, highlighting the ongoing teachers’ strike that has paralyzed primary schools across the FCT for over nine weeks.

In a bold move to draw attention to the plight of unpaid teachers, VDM gathered schoolchildren dressed in their uniforms and organized an impromptu classroom session at the minister’s gate.

Teaching the children the alphabet, he incorporated a pointed message, chanting “T for Tinubu, W for Wike,” which the children echoed, symbolizing a call for accountability from President Bola Tinubu and Minister Wike.

The protest stems from the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) strike, which began in March 2025 over the non-payment of the N70,000 minimum wage and other arrears owed by the six FCT area council chairmen. Despite promises from Wike to resolve the crisis, primary schools remain shut, leaving pupils without education for months.

This is unacceptable. Children are suffering, and teachers are being treated unfairly,” he said during the protest

VDM, wearing a school uniform himself, condemned the government’s inaction, emphasizing that teachers are paid as little as N30,000 monthly instead of the agreed minimum wage. “This is unacceptable. Children are suffering, and teachers are being treated unfairly,” he said during the protest.

The demonstration has sparked widespread attention on social media, with many Nigerians praising VDM’s creative approach to advocacy. However, the FCT administration has yet to respond to the protest or provide updates on resolving the strike.

The protest stems from the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) strike, which began in March 2025 over the non-payment of the N70,000 minimum wage and other arrears owed by the six FCT area council chairmen

As the teachers’ strike continues to disrupt education in the capital, VDM’s protest underscores the growing frustration among parents, students, and workers. The public now awaits a response from Wike and the Tinubu administration to address the crisis and return children to classrooms.

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