There is growing outrage in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) following allegations by the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) that N4.1 billion released for the payment of striking primary school teachers was diverted by chairmen of the six area councils.
The Treasurer of the FCT chapter of the union, Emmanuel Ameh, made the claim during a recent appearance on Arise News, accusing the council bosses of misappropriating funds approved by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, for the implementation of the 2024 national minimum wage for teachers.
Ameh revealed that the union, which has been on strike since March 24, had earlier met with Minister Wike, who acknowledged their concerns and promptly approved the disbursement of N4.1 billion to address the wage backlog.
“The Minister invited us and asked why we shut down schools,” Ameh said. “We explained that the 2024 minimum wage had not been implemented and the councils claimed they had no funds. To our surprise, the next day, the Permanent Secretary informed us that the Minister had approved N4.1 billion.”
However, rather than channeling the funds to the payment of outstanding salaries, the council chairmen allegedly claimed the money was for “signature allowance”—a term that sparked confusion and anger when disclosed at a hearing convened by the National Assembly Committee on FCT and Salary Matters.
“The six council chairmen were invited by the committee,” Ameh continued. “When asked if they received the N4.1 billion, they confirmed it.
But when asked what they used the money for, they said it was for ‘signature allowance.’ Even lawmakers were stunned and asked, ‘What is signature allowance?’ They couldn’t provide a clear answer.”
The situation has left thousands of primary school teachers in limbo, with public schools in the FCT shut for over three months.
Many pupils are now at risk of missing out on the academic calendar entirely, deepening concerns about the state of basic education in the capital.
Ameh stressed that the minimum wage is only one of many challenges faced by teachers in the FCT, citing poor welfare, lack of facilities, and non-implementation of other entitlements as persistent issues.
“This is not just about salaries,” he said. “It’s about the dignity of our profession and the future of our children. Teachers cannot continue to bear the brunt of administrative irresponsibility.”
Calls have intensified for anti-graft agencies, including the EFCC and ICPC, to investigate the matter and bring those responsible to justice.
Efforts to reach the FCT Administration and the council chairmen for comments were unsuccessful as of press time.
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