The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has intervened in the lingering FCT teachers’ crisis by ordering direct payment of allowances and emoluments.
Wike made this known after a meeting with the leaders of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Abuja.
He warned that continued strikes would have devastating consequences on school children and expressed concern over procedural lapses in handling the dispute.
“Unfortunately, there have been some lapses as the council chairmen were not invited.
“It would not be proper to hold such a crucial meeting without those directly affected,” the Minister said.
He said that he had personally presided over several meetings on the issue of unpaid teachers’ allowances and had gone further to set up a committee to resolve the matter.
Wike said that in a decisive move to break the deadlock, he intercepted Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) allocations meant for the area councils.
Wike said he directed the treasury to ensure that the funds were paid directly to address the outstanding obligations.
“I was surprised to learn that despite our agreement, there are plans to go on strike. Such action undermines ongoing efforts to resolve the crisis.
“Primary school teachers’ salaries and allowances remain the statutory responsibility of the area councils, but the FCT Administration stepped in to prevent disruption in the education system.
“I have repeatedly emphasised that education is vital, and continuous strikes will only negatively affect our children,” he added.
Earlier, Chairman of the NUT FCT Wing, Abdullahi Shafa, described the meeting with the Minister as “very fruitful.”
Shafa acknowledged the administration’s efforts in improving school infrastructure and addressing welfare concerns.
He, however, noted that issues affecting primary teachers, particularly unpaid entitlements, remain unresolved.
Shafa also raised concerns over delayed promotions and unfilled vacancies, warning that stagnation in career progression could undermine productivity in schools.
He said the Minister had assured the union of immediate action, admitting that he was previously not fully briefed on the extent of the challenges.
The NUT chairman clarified that the ongoing strike has not yet been suspended, adding that the union’s leadership would meet to review the outcome of the engagement before taking a final decision.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NUT had last Friday directed primary and secondary school teachers in the FCT to begin an indefinite strike over unresolved welfare concerns.
The union explained that the decision was due to the continued silence of the FCT on the legitimate demands of teachers.
It identified some of the issues as non-implementation and payment of 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary increments, and non-implementation and payment of 40 per cent peculiar allowance.
