VeryDarkMan Leads Abuja Pupils in Open-Air Protest Over Teachers’ Underpayment, Exposes Deep Rot in Nigeria’s Education Sector
By Okafor Joseph Afam
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Abuja, Nigeria — June 23, 2025
Popular Nigerian activist, Martins Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan, on Monday led a bold protest in the heart of Abuja, calling out the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) authorities over the alleged underpayment of public primary school teachers. The protest included a symbolic “open-air classroom” staged directly outside the office of FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
The protest followed the revelation that government primary school teachers in Abuja, who were supposed to receive the newly approved ₦70,000 minimum wage, were instead reverted to the old ₦30,000 after just two months of compliance. The teachers have since been on strike for nine consecutive weeks, leaving thousands of children out of school.
“I came here today not just to talk, but to act,” said VeryDarkMan. “We are teaching the government a lesson in honesty. The teachers were promised ₦70,000 and only received it for two months. After that, they were pushed back to poverty wages—while insiders in the education ministry are allegedly pocketing the difference.”
Pupils from several public primary schools in Abuja joined the protest, dressed in their uniforms. With chalkboards and exercise books in hand, the children took part in an improvised classroom session on the pavement—calling it the “People’s School.” In a viral moment, they recited:
“A for Asiwaju, B for Bola, C for Corruption… W for Wike!”
Their chants echoed accusations of corruption and negligence against top education officials and politicians. One of the teachers present confirmed, “We received ₦70,000 for only two months. Suddenly, we’re back to ₦30,000. Who’s eating the rest of our pay? We need answers.”
Corruption and the Crisis in Nigerian Education
The Abuja protest reflects the broader dysfunction plaguing Nigeria’s education system—primarily driven by corruption, political neglect, and lack of accountability.
Education experts warn that while private schools continue to grow, public education—especially at the primary level—is collapsing. Poor remuneration is driving trained teachers out of the profession or abroad, worsening Nigeria’s brain drain crisis.
In just three years, over 12,000 qualified Nigerian teachers have migrated to countries like the UK, Canada, and the UAE. If the trend continues, public education may suffer irreversible damage.
10-Year Impact Projection of Corruption on Education
A graph generated using projected data highlights the long-term consequences if corruption continues:
Teacher Exodus: Expected to grow from 10,000 to over 57,000 annually by 2035.
Public School Closures: Could reach 2,700 schools shut down due to funding gaps.
Literacy Rate Decline: A projected 34% drop in literacy among school-age children by 2035.
(Graph available on Springnewsng website)
Effects on Nigeria’s Future
If unchecked, the current crisis could lead to:
Increased youth illiteracy and unemployment
More children turning to crime or social vices
A national workforce unprepared for global economic competition
The eventual collapse of Nigeria’s public school system
Conclusion
VeryDarkMan’s protest, joined by both teachers and pupils from across FCT public primary schools, has reignited national conversations on education sector reform. While the children dream of becoming doctors, engineers, and leaders, their dreams are under threat.
He called on the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to speak out and take urgent action to restore dignity to Nigeria’s teachers.
“The classroom is empty. The children are waiting. The future is watching,” said VeryDarkMan
