The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has addressed the ongoing strike action by teachers in Abuja, describing some of their demands as “unrealistic” despite efforts by the administration to resolve the crisis.
Speaking during his monthly media chat in Abuja on Thursday, Wike stated that the FCT Administration had intervened in the matter but noted that not all the demands presented by the striking teachers could be met at once.
“We intervened in the strike, but some of the teachers have not been realistic. It will be difficult. We will pay in phases, that’s what I said,” he explained.
The minister also expressed concern over the growing wage bill in the FCT relative to available resources, revealing that the administration pays about N13 billion in salaries monthly to a workforce of nearly 50,000.
“Almost 50,000 workers with a salary of N13bn every month—what do we get from the federal government? If the federal government gets N800bn a year, it gives us one percent. One percent of N800bn is N8bn. With N8bn, can I pay the salaries with this new minimum wage? Can it pay allowances?” he questioned.
Wike also criticized the teachers’ actions during the strike, particularly the locking of school gates, while they continued to receive salaries.
“I heard they locked the gate, but they have taken their salaries. Have you asked that—you lock the gate, but your salary will be paid?” he added.
