FCT minister Nyesom Wike has intervened in the lingering teachers’ crisis in Abuja by ordering direct payment of allowances and emoluments.

Mr Wike stated this  after a meeting with the leaders of the Nigeria Union of Teachers  in Abuja.

He warned that continued strikes would have devastating consequences for schoolchildren and expressed concern about 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 he had personally presided over several meetings on unpaid teachers’ allowances and had also set up a committee to resolve the matter.

Mr Wike said that in a decisive move to break the deadlock, he intercepted internally generated revenue 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,” stated Mr Wike. 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.

Earlier, the chairman of the NUT FCT wing, Abdullahi Shafa, described the meeting with the Minister as “very fruitful”.

Mr Shafa acknowledged the administration’s efforts to improve school infrastructure and address welfare concerns. He, however, noted that issues affecting primary teachers, particularly unpaid entitlements, remain unresolved.

Mr 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 had not been 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 NUT, on the penultimate 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 FCT’s continued silence on teachers’ legitimate demands.

It identified some issues as non-implementation of the 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary increments, and non-implementation and non-payment of the 40 per cent peculiar allowance.

(NAN)