The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, has directed the direct payment of allowances and emoluments to teachers in a bid to resolve the protracted industrial dispute, cautioning that persistent strikes could undermine the future of schoolchildren.
Speaking after a meeting with the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Abuja, the Minister expressed concern over procedural lapses in previous engagements, particularly the exclusion of area council chairmen from critical discussions.
Wike noted that he had convened several meetings on the matter and subsequently constituted a committee to address outstanding issues affecting teachers’ welfare.
In a decisive intervention, he disclosed that the FCT Administration intercepted Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) allocations meant for the area councils and directed that the funds be applied directly to offset teachers’ allowances and salaries.
He described the development as necessary to avert further disruption in the education sector, stressing that the responsibility for paying primary school teachers rests with the area councils.
The Minister, however, expressed surprise over indications of a planned strike despite ongoing efforts to resolve the dispute, warning that such actions would have adverse consequences on pupils.
He reiterated the administration’s commitment to safeguarding education, noting that prolonged industrial actions threaten learning outcomes and the stability of the system.
Earlier, Chairman of the NUT FCT Wing, Comrade Abdullahi Mohammed Shafa, described the engagement as productive, acknowledging ongoing interventions in school infrastructure and welfare issues.
He, however, maintained that concerns surrounding unpaid entitlements of primary school teachers persist, alongside issues of delayed promotions and staffing gaps.
Shafa said the union would review the outcome of the meeting before taking a final position on the industrial action, as stakeholders await further developments.
