FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike has stepped into the issue of teachers salaries in the capital city.
As part of moves by the FCT Administration to end the strike action called by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), the Minister on Thursday, April 23, 2026 met with members of the FCT wing of the Union at his Life Camp residence, Abuja.
The Minister assured the Union members that their demands will be met within reason.
Addressing the union members, the Minister stressed that the reason for his intervention was mainly because the strike mostly affects children, reiterating that the payment of allowances and salaries to primary school teachers, is the sole responsibility of the area councils.
Barr Wike expressed dismay that even with his previous interventions over strikes by the NUT, the problem still persisted.
The Minister said, “This is the second or third time I have presided over this meeting that has to do with payment of teachers allowances and emoluments as the case may be. And I set up a committee to see how this problem will be resolved.
“I even went as far as stopping the IGR allocation of the Area Councils and directed the Permanent Secretary FCT Treasury to see that the money is paid directly to take care of some of these issues, but it was surprising to me when the Chief of Staff told me he met with you and virtually agreed on everything but it’s surprising that you still had to go on strike”.
Addressing journalists after a closed-door meeting between the Minister, officials of the FCTA and the NUT, Chairman, NUT, FCT Wing, Comrade Mohammed Shafa, expressed appreciation to the FCT Minister for the giant strides he was making in the development of the FCT’s education sector, highlighting the renovation and restructuring of schools.
Comrade Shafa, who said the larger house of the union needs to deliberate further, expressed optimism that the strike will soon be called off. He assured that the meeting with the Minister was fruitful with the Minister addressing all issues tabled before him.
Present at the meeting were the Chairmen of the FCT Area Councils, Chief of Staff to the FCT Minister, Honourable Chidi Amadi and Head of FCTA Civil Service, Mrs. Nancy Sabanti Nathan.
