FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and Minister of State for Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, have taken the issue of unpaid teacher salaries in the Federal Capital Territory to the National Assembly for resolution.
The duo is advocating for the establishment of a State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) in the FCT, similar to those in the 36 states, to create a structured and sustainable funding mechanism for basic education teachers.
Alausa emphasized at the launch of the National Policy on Non-State Education in Abuja on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, that the existing system, where the Federal Capital Territory Administration directly pays teachers, is unsustainable.
He noted that the FCT is unable to access the Universal Basic Education Commission’s matching grants, crucial for funding basic education nationwide, due to the lack of a formal SUBEB framework. He added that while the teachers’ strike may end temporarily, the underlying issues must be structurally addressed to prevent future strikes.
The ministers’ appeal to lawmakers seeks not only to address the salary crisis but also to bring the FCT’s education system in line with national standards, with Wike and Alausa hoping to expedite legislative approval for a SUBEB in the FCT through direct National Assembly intervention.
This move aligns with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, focusing on enhanced access to quality education and bolstered public sector accountability.
