Wike Redirects Area Council Revenue to Pay FCT Teachers’ Allowances, Stalls Strike

Teachers in the FCT have demanded payment of outstanding allowances, including 25 % and 35 % salary increments and a 40 % peculiar allowance, which have been delayed for months. The Nigeria Union of Teachers declared an indefinite strike last Friday after the administration failed to respond to these demands. Minister Wike said he had chaired several meetings on the issue, formed a committee to resolve the dispute, and warned that continued strikes would have devastating effects on schoolchildren.

Wike instructed the treasury to settle the teachers’ allowances directly, bypassing the usual council payment process. He intercepted Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) — funds collected locally by area councils — and redirected them to cover the outstanding obligations. The NUT FCT chairman, Abdullahi Shafa, said the meeting with the minister was “very fruitful” and acknowledged efforts on school infrastructure, while noting that primary teachers’ entitlements remain unresolved. He also raised concerns over delayed promotions and unfilled vacancies.

The immediate payment eases financial pressure on teachers and reduces the risk of classroom disruptions in the short term. However, the underlying disputes over salary increments, peculiar allowances, promotions, and vacancies are still pending, and the union has not yet called off the strike. Using area‑council IGR for federal obligations raises questions about fiscal autonomy and may prompt further dialogue on revenue sharing arrangements.