A crippling strike by primary school teachers in the Federal Capital Territory has thrown classrooms into chaos and triggered a National Assembly investigation into the alleged mismanagement of wage funds by area council chairmen. The Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) and Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) launched the strike on March 24, 2025, demanding the implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage and payment of overdue allowances, leaving pupils stranded and parents desperate for answers.
The unrest stems from claims that area council chairmen diverted N4.1 billion approved by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike to clear teachers’ salary arrears and enact the new minimum wage. Abdullahi Shafa, NUT FCT chairman, accused the chairmen of pocketing the funds for personal gain, a charge that has fueled public outrage. The strike, now in its fourth week, has shut down schools across Abuja’s six area councils, with teachers like Solomon Bako of Kuje Area Council vowing not to return until their bank alerts reflect the promised payments.
Wike, visibly frustrated, confirmed he disbursed the funds but slammed the chairmen for failing to act, calling their inaction “insensitive.” He has summoned the council leaders and NUT for urgent talks to resolve the crisis and urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) to probe the alleged fraud. The National Assembly, responding to the uproar, has launched its own investigation to uncover how the funds were handled, with lawmakers demanding accountability from the chairmen.
The strike’s impact is biting hard. Parents in Gwagwalada and Bwari are scrambling to find alternatives for their children, while teachers complain of economic hardship amid Nigeria’s soaring inflation. NERC’s recent fines on DisCos for overbilling highlight similar governance failures, amplifying public distrust. The NUT insists the chairmen’s delay tactics—blamed on Wike’s brief absence abroad—won’t break their resolve. Shafa praised Wike’s intervention but warned that the strike will persist until the money lands in teachers’ accounts.
This standoff exposes Nigeria’s chronic struggle with public sector funding and accountability. As the National Assembly digs deeper, the nation watches closely, wondering if justice will prevail or if the missing N4.1 billion will vanish into the shadows of bureaucracy. For now, FCT’s teachers stand firm, their empty pockets a stark reminder of a system failing those who shape its future.
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