Teachers in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory to be Paid with Revenue from Local Governments

Nigeria’s Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has threatened to divert 10% of the Internally Generated Revenue meant for local governments in the area to pay striking primary school teachers. This decision comes as the teachers have been on strike for over a week, demanding better wages and improved working conditions.

The strike, which began on September 18, was called after the teachers union issued a 14-day ultimatum to local government authorities. The union is seeking a 40% increase in peculiar allowances and payment of 25 months of minimum wage arrears.

Minister Wike announced his decision on Thursday while inspecting the ongoing Apo-Karshi Road project. "I’ve invited the Area Council Chairmen and the NUT to let us sit down and discuss this issue. We try to do what we can to see that the system is moving well, but unfortunately, the teachers are on strike. I will not fold my arms and allow this strike to continue. No serious government will allow its teachers to stay at home while children are suffering," Wike said.

The minister added that if the teachers are not paid, he would use the 10% IGR meant for the local governments to fund the payment. "That will mean that if the teachers are not paid, then I will use the 10% IGR, which nobody has paid to them, to pay the teachers. I will not tolerate it," Wike emphasized.

The Apo-Karshi road project, being undertaken by contractor Messrs Khakatar Limited, is expected to be completed by April 2025. Although Wike has expressed some doubts about the project’s timeline, he has decided to give the contractor the benefit of the doubt, hoping that it will ease traffic and boost economic activity in the area.

This latest development has sparked a debate about the government’s willingness to support its teachers and the need for prompt resolution of the strike to avoid further disruptions to children’s education.