Wike Roasts Council Chairmen Over Strike: ‘You Refuse to Pay Those Who Educate Your Children

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has strongly criticized Area Council chairmen for their failure to implement the minimum wage for council staff.

According to reports, Wike’s remarks followed a mass protest involving primary school teachers, council workers, and health personnel, who decried the non-payment of the new minimum wage and other entitlements.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Thursday during an inspection tour of key road projects expected to be commissioned in May 2025, as part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second anniversary celebrations, Wike described the protest as regrettable.

He expressed frustration that primary school teachers—who are responsible for educating the nation’s children—have been denied their rightful wages, even after he approved the release of necessary funds.

The minister appealed to the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) for patience, revealing that the council chairmen have been urgently summoned.

“It’s truly unfortunate,” Wike said. “We must be honest with ourselves. After I approved the release of funds to enable the Area Council chairmen pay the teachers, they still failed to act. I got the report on Wednesday and have summoned all of them.

“It’s disturbing that people can be so unconscionable—these are teachers caring for our children, yet their salaries are left unpaid. These are primary school teachers, not secondary school teachers. The councils are solely responsible for them.

“I’ve called for a meeting with the chairmen and I’m also appealing to the NUT to allow some time while we work to resolve the matter.”