Wike Orders Direct Payment of Teachers’ Salaries, Moves to End Abuja Strike Crisis
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has initiated fresh measures to address the ongoing teachers’ strike in Abuja, directing the immediate and direct payment of their allowances and outstanding entitlements.
This intervention follows mounting concerns over the extended closure of public primary schools across the FCT, a situation that has continued to disrupt academic activities.
The directive, PulseNets learnt, was issued after a closed-door meeting between the Minister and leaders of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Abuja. The engagement centered on finding a swift resolution to the protracted dispute surrounding unpaid salaries and benefits.
During the meeting, Wike expressed clear dissatisfaction with the manner in which the crisis had been managed. PulseNets reported that he specifically highlighted procedural gaps, including the failure to involve critical stakeholders in prior deliberations.
“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.
The Minister further explained that he had presided over multiple meetings on the issue and had constituted a committee to examine the grievances raised by teachers. The latest directive, he noted, is intended to break the impasse and restore normal academic operations.
In a decisive move, PulseNets obtained that Wike approved the interception of Internally Generated Revenue allocations meant for the six area councils within the FCT. These funds, he stated, would be redirected for direct disbursement to teachers to offset outstanding payments.
“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 constructive. He acknowledged ongoing improvements in school infrastructure under the current administration.
However, Shafa told PulseNets that critical welfare concerns affecting teachers remain unresolved. These include unpaid entitlements, delayed promotions, and persistent staffing shortages across schools.
He cautioned that prolonged stagnation in career advancement could weaken morale among teachers and ultimately impact classroom productivity. Shafa also revealed that the Minister admitted he had not been fully briefed on the scale of the crisis prior to the engagement.
Despite the high-level discussions, the union has yet to suspend the industrial action. PulseNets reported that the NUT leadership is expected to convene to evaluate the outcome of the meeting before arriving at a final position.
The strike, which commenced last week, has forced the shutdown of numerous public primary and secondary schools within the FCT. The union had earlier accused relevant authorities of neglecting its demands.
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Among the key issues raised are the failure to implement the 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary increases, alongside the non-payment of the 40 per cent peculiar allowance owed to teachers.
Additional grievances include delays in promotions and generally poor welfare conditions, which the union maintains must be addressed before academic activities can fully resume.
