EXCLUSIVE: Despite N66.7billion Allocation To Area Councils, FCT Administration Under Wike Fails To Pay Teachers Minimum Wage

Despite receiving staggering ₦66.7billion in local government allocations over the past 14 months, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administration, under Minister Nyesom Wike, has failed to implement the ₦70,000 minimum wage for primary school teachers — forcing over 400 public schools in the capital to remain shut for nearly three months.

Data from the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation as checked by SaharaReporters revealed that between January 2024 and February 2025, the six Area Councils of the FCT received a steady inflow of funds. 

In January 2024, the allocation stood at ₦4.8 billion, followed by ₦4.4 billion in February, ₦3.9 billion in March, ₦5.2 billion in April, and ₦3.7 billion in May. 

June saw an allocation of ₦3.6 billion, while ₦3.7 billion was recorded in July. August received ₦4.8 billion, with September and October allocations recorded at ₦3.9 billion and ₦4.6 billion respectively. 

The final quarter of 2024 showed significant disbursements—₦7.0 billion in November and ₦7.1 billion in December. In 2025, the trend continued with ₦4.5 billion in January and ₦5.5 billion in February.

Despite this sustained financial inflow, teachers across the six Area Councils have remained on an indefinite strike since March 24, 2025. 

The industrial action, now in its 86th day, stems from the failure of local authorities to implement the new minimum wage or settle accumulated salary arrears.

SaharaReporters previously reported that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), FCT Chapter, issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Wike-led administration, demanding swift resolution of the teachers’ grievances.

In a letter dated June 11, 2025, and signed by NLC FCT Chairperson Comrade Stephen Knabayi, the union condemned the FCT Administration’s silence, stating: “The NLC FCT Council has written several letters seeking an audience with you, but none have been honoured,” the statement read. 

“Your refusal to act on our position letter and demands served on April 24 and again on May 16, 2025, is noted with displeasure. You are hereby duly notified that failure to act within seven days will result in the picketing of FCTA offices on June 19, 2025.”

The roots of the crisis trace back to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on December 11, 2024. That agreement—brokered by the FCT Administration and endorsed by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), and the NLC—outlined a phased implementation of the ₦70,000 minimum wage effective January 2025, the payment of at least five months’ salary arrears, and a commitment by Area Councils to allocate 50% of their Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to fund these obligations.

Although a tripartite implementation committee chaired by Minister of State Dr. Mariya Mahmoud was established, not a single component of the MoU has been executed as of mid-June 2025.

With schools shuttered, children out of classrooms, and public pressure mounting, the NLC has described the FCT Administration’s handling of the matter as “irresponsible and provocative,” calling into question how ₦66.7 billion in federal allocations failed to translate into basic wage compliance.