The FCT chapter of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) has accused six area council chairmen of diverting N4.1 billion meant for teachers’ minimum wage payments.
FCT primary school teachers have been on strike since March 24, 2025, over unpaid minimum wage. When Minister Nyesom Wike promised to resolve the issue, he released N4.1 billion the next day to area councils for teacher payments.
According to NUT Treasurer Emmanuel Ameh, the council chairmen used the funds for “signature allowance” instead of paying teachers. When summoned by National Assembly committees, the chairmen admitted receiving the money but claimed it wasn’t for minimum wage.
“The lawmakers asked ‘What is signature allowance?’ but the council bosses could not provide a clear explanation,” Ameh said during an Arise News interview.
While other workers have received the new minimum wage, FCT primary school teachers remain unpaid, leaving basic education in crisis. The union is demanding accountability and urging the National Assembly and FCT administration to recover the diverted funds and pay teachers their dues.
