The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, has announced plans to withhold 10 percent of statutory allocations to Area Councils following their failure to implement the new minimum wage for primary school teachers, which has resulted in an ongoing strike.

In a press statement issued by the FCT Administration on Monday, May 12, 2025, Wike expressed disappointment that despite his intervention and directive for funds to be released to the councils, the teachers' strike has continued, disrupting academic activities across the territory.

"I have limits; I cannot sack them because they are elected. Therefore, I have taken the step to withhold 10 percent of their Internally Generated Revenue (IGR)," the Minister stated.

According to the statement, Wike had previously engaged with Council Chairmen at the commencement of the strike to understand the reasons behind their inability to pay the new minimum wage. He had directed that funds be released to facilitate the payment, describing the continued strike as "embarrassing."

To resolve the crisis, the Minister disclosed that a committee will be established to ensure that funds released by the FCT Administration are paid directly to the affected teachers, bypassing the Area Councils if necessary.

The strike by primary school teachers under the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has lasted for several weeks in protest against the non-payment of the new minimum wage by the Area Councils. The union has maintained that the strike will continue until the full entitlements of its members are paid.

In a related development, the Minister also revealed plans by the FCT Administration to mark the second anniversary of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration, although specific details of the celebration were not disclosed.