As the strike by Federal Capital Territory (FCT) primary school teachers stretches into its third month, the National Assembly has stepped in to investigate allegations of mismanaged wage funds by area council officials.
Public schools across the FCT have remained shut since December 2024, with teachers—under the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT)—demanding payment of the N70,000 minimum wage and other withheld benefits. The strike, which resumed in February, has left classrooms empty, frustrating parents and students.
Tensions escalated last week when teachers and local government workers staged a protest at the office of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, calling for urgent intervention. Wike revealed that over N4 billion had been disbursed to the area councils specifically for wage payments, accusing the chairmen of failing to distribute the funds. He subsequently summoned them to an emergency meeting.
In a Wednesday interview, FCT NLC Chairman Stephen Knabayi confirmed that union leaders had met with the National Assembly the day before, with follow-up discussions expected next week.
“The council chairmen have been directed to submit records of their allocations and expenditures between Tuesday and Friday,” Knabayi said. “The FCTA Treasury Department’s Permanent Secretary was also called in for questioning.”
While the Treasury Department claimed to have released N4.1 billion, the council chairmen insist they never received the funds—a discrepancy now under scrutiny. A verification committee has been formed to assess the financial records and propose solutions.
Despite these efforts, Knabayi remains skeptical. “For us, all these things—they’re just buying time. We don’t believe them. Our action continues,” he declared.
“By tomorrow, we will decide whether we’ll hit the streets again on Monday or Tuesday. We are not waiting for anyone.”With no resolution in sight, the standoff threatens to prolong the education crisis in the nation’s capital.
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