In a bold and theatrical protest that’s turning heads across Nigeria, controversial social media activist Martins Vincent Otse—popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM)—staged a symbolic classroom demonstration at the gate of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, in Abuja.
The protest, held on Monday, June 23, 2025, comes in response to the ongoing teachers’ strike that has left primary school students in the FCT out of classrooms for over 90 days. The strike stems from the failure of Area Council Chairmen to implement the new ₦70,000 national minimum wage for teachers2.
In a scene that blended satire with activism, VDM gathered uniformed schoolchildren and held an impromptu class right outside the Minister’s residence. He led the children in reciting the alphabet with politically charged examples: “S for Suegbe, T for Tinubu, W for Wike,”—a moment that quickly went viral on social media.
Refusing to speak to reporters, VDM declared the Minister’s gate the children’s new classroom. The protest also included a lunch break, where the children were served rice and chicken provided by VDM and his supporters.
This protest adds fuel to the growing frustration over the prolonged strike, which has disrupted education for thousands of children in the capital. While the FCT Minister reportedly released ₦4.1 billion for wage implementation, the funds were allegedly diverted by council chairmen under the guise of “signature allowance”.
As the standoff continues, VDM’s protest has reignited public discourse on accountability, governance, and the power of creative activism.
