₦airaland Forum

How N4bn meant for striking teachers disappeared – NUT treasury

The Federal Capital Territory, FCT, chapter of the Nigerian Union of Teachers, NUT, has narrated how the sum of N4.1 billion released by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, for the implementation of the national minimum wage was allegedly diverted by the chairmen of the six area councils.

The treasurer of the FCT chapter of the NUT, Emmanuel Ameh, stated this during an interview on Arise News, saying the council chairmen claimed the money was meant for “signature allowance” instead.

Teachers in public primary schools within the nation’s capital have been on strike for over three months over issues relating to the implementation of the federal government-approved minimum wage.

Ameh explained that upon meeting the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, the former Rivers State Governor promised to pay the outstanding amount. He redeemed the promise the next day, and the money was released to the council chairmen, who were expected to effect the payment

He said the chairmen refused to pay the teachers, and when the matter was brought before the National Assembly Committee on FCT and Salary, the council bosses appeared and told the lawmakers the money was for “signature allowance.

“We’ve taken this matter to his office [Minister of FCT] several times and at one point in the course of the ongoing strike that began on the 24th of March, 2025,” he said.

Minister asked us why we shut down schools, we said minimum wage of 2024 has not been implemented, and the area councils said they don’t have money to do that.

“He said ‘okay, union leaders, go and come back the next day’. When we returned the next day, the Permanent Secretary (Treasury) told us that the Minister had just approved N4.1 billion for the implementation of this minimum wage, and we were glad.

The minimum wage is just one out of the numerous problems that is facing an average primary school teacher in the FCT and the area councils. They did not implement that, and that dragged us to the National Assembly, particularly, the committee on salary and FCT invited us and asked what was the problem and we told them.

And the council chairmen, six of them were there and they asked them ‘did you receive N4.1 billion? They admitted that they received it.

“They were asked what they did with it and they said the money was not for the implementation of the national minimum wage, but a signature allowance.

“They (National Assembly committee) said, ‘what is signature allowance?’ They said that was what they told them the money was meant for.”

Ladies and gentlemen, know the fact and know where to channel your energy of activism and questions to .


Primary schools in NIGERIA and FCT are under the Local Government Chairmen.

And they are supposedly independent of the governors or president.

In FCT, in particular, the LGA staff have been collecting minimum wage salaries for about 3 months now or so.

Minister Wike have delved into the matter and paid them some certain amounts of money but still the union refused to call of the strike, Wike has also called the National Assembly to wade into the matter which they have done and still no positives...

NGOs have pleaded with the striking workers, yet they continue to stay on strike.

Now ask what is the issue, they initially went on strike over minimum wage, now they have received minimum wage and say it peculiar allowance that must be paid or they wld not return and the peculiar allowance must be paid in full by the LGA bosses.

The FCT secondary schools directly under the ministers wike purview are all in school and they too have outstanding arrears but they clearly are ready to wait while till fcta has the capacity to pay, even federal Govt is owing arrears but workers are not in strike.

So ask why LGA staff are on strike, collecting new minimum wage salary but refuse to call off the strike?

Don't you think the leadership of the union is in bed with opposition to taint the image of Wike and FG?

https://dailypost.ng/2025/06/21/fct-how-n4bn-meant-for-striking-teachers-disappeared-nut-treasury/

Hmm 🧐. Huge corruption in the education sector under Tinubu government

NUT treasury should endeavor to reach out to the minister for clarification on the the alleged signature allowance Wike that I know won't release such amount to clear backlog of unpaid wages and be quiet in the face of a provocative strike action

See the trajectory of this matter it’s obvious —Nigerians are the problem of the Nigeria and to those that like to blame the leaders always they don’t fall from the skies. Until there’s a consequence for bad behavior we will continue to deal with fifth world problems. NASS should make a regulation that ensures that unless all civil servants are paid no political office holders is eligible to any compensation and when same civil servants to decides to go rogue they should be shown the way out within 2 weeks. We’ve to continuously think of how to use laws & regulations to curb our collective greed and incompetences.

Don't you think the leadership of the union is in bed with opposition to taint the image of Wike and FG?

Very dumb assumption, what stops Wike or the FG from defending itself by speaking out or making those involved to face the law and thereby shaming the so called opposition? The Wike we know is a loud mouthed man and he can never be intimidated or blackmailed by any opposition.

They blame everybody but themselves. DSS, army, police, and civil defence are all at your beck and call yet you blame the opposition for insecurity. You have the EFCC, ICPC, etc all at your disposal yet, you accuse opposition of corruption. No way for Nigeria I must admit.

More clarification is still needed.

The loquacious one should come out to tell us what the money he released is actually for.

His silence is deafening.

Na wa

e Don enter private pocket

Money meant for teachers, six people siddon share am saying it's signature allowance

Like imagine the rubbish

You are collecting money for signing your signature

Make human beings sef dey fit disappear for Nigeria now. No be only money get this monopoly

Nigeria under apc and tinubu has become a huge crime scene in all fronts.

You see this country, its full of greedy men who only enrich themselves and forget about the legacy they leave behind for their kids

press9jatv:
Hmm 🧐. Huge corruption in the education sector under Tinubu government

ThiefNuibuu and corruption are joined together like Siamese twins.
It is a legacy from his Lagos governorship days- increasing tax burden on the people but depriving them of government services and utilities while owing salaries and pensions to workers.

I guess that he is too old to change now.

anonimi:
Nigeria: Pensioners Urge Tinubu to Pay Arrears

26 March 2003
This Day (Lagos)


Lagos — Pension teachers in Lagos State under the aegis of Teacher Pensioners of Nigeria (TEPAN) have urged Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to review his stance on paying the harmonised three year old outstanding pension allowance or risk losing their votes.

In a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of TEPAN, Mr. Ayodabo 'Lade, accused Tinubu of failing to pay the arrears to teachers on their correct pension grade since the year 2000, contrary to what was obtainable in other five States of the South-west controlled by the Alliance for Democracy (AD).

https://allafrica.com/stories/200303260385.html

And the council chairmen, six of them were there and they asked them ‘did you receive N4.1 billion? They admitted that they received it.
“They were asked what they did with it and they said the money was not for the implementation of the national minimum wage, but a signature allowance.
“They (National Assembly committee) said, ‘what is signature allowance?’ They said that was what they told them the money was meant for.”"

The above in bold is mind bugging

Who wrote this junk and expects us to believe it? Is Wike dead that he can't order the chairmen to refund the money?

Secondly, according to this misleading report, the primary schools are under the LGAs, so why did the FCT Minister release the money for payment of the allowance and yet can't intervene?

My best bet is "no money was released" it was all a cover-up for political purposes.

They no longer see these embezzlement as crime ....0

LadyExcellency:
Who wrote this junk and expects us to believe it? Is Wike dead that he can't order the chairmen to refund the money?

Secondly, according to this misleading report, the primary schools are under the LGAs, so why did the FCT Minister release the money for payment of the allowance and yet can't intervene?

My best bet is "no money was released" it was all a cover-up for political purposes.

Wike said he paid them, Council bosses said they received the money, NUT treasurer also confirm but sitting down in your husband parlour, you felt it was a sham and no money was released.. na wa for you oo, even Thomas go dey amaze with your character

Back at the topic, corruption has been institutionalized into the fabric of this nation such that we give bribe different names
Weekend Prayers to the Senate, Lobby funds at ministry, recharge cards funds to civil servants when looking for help, bail at the police station and now Signature allowance...All na egunje

Its an observable truth from the news that Wike paid the money but the council bosses were of the assumption it meant for their own pleasure which may stem from an habit (likely they have been receiving such funds before)...
An average Nigerian is an opportunist criminal, if we see an opportunity to amass wealth illegaly, we wont blink an eye

These ones are hiding under the nomenclature of signature allowance to perpetuate corruption. Which one is signature allowance again? But you received 4 billion and converted it to signature allowance. Meanwhile children who are supposed to be in school are idling at home. How can people be this wicked. Tomorrow they will claim it's the handwork of wike.

Maxymilliano:
NUT treasury should endeavor to reach out to the minister for clarification on the the alleged signature allowance Wike that I know won't release such amount to clear backlog of unpaid wages and be quiet in the face of a provocative strike action

I agree with this. First question is “was there a signature allowance in the approved budget?”

I think someone is trying to manage information here. Nyesom Wike that I know will kill and destroy if the money he released for one purpose was utilized for something else.

I repeat again.....some persons suppose loose their jobs like this...

press9jatv:
How N4bn meant for striking teachers disappeared – NUT treasury


https://dailypost.ng/2025/06/21/fct-how-n4bn-meant-for-striking-teachers-disappeared-nut-treasury/

what a country
there is hardly a day U wake up & boom 💥 bad news every day na wooooooah

N4.1 Billion for unexplainable "signature allowance"! We can all see that there is still stealing spree going on in this Tinubu's administration and this is exactly where I have a problem with President Tinubu and why he will not succeed even if he is given 10years to continue the current stunt he is doing.
To make Nigeria work will take collective effort and not just individual effort. Where he might be doing somethings to better the lives of Nigerians, unfortunately, the people in charge will still sabotage the effort by diverting and embezzling the funds. Same funds he is kelleng us everyday for in the name of subsidy removal is being wasted right in front of us.
Billions in Naira and Dollars being wasted everywhere... NNPC, LGAs, Ministries, Departments and different Agencies. Tinubu's administration will fail and fail woefully because he had not perfected his reform policies before embarking on them.
The truth is that, his cycle of reform is complete. There is nothing new again to be expected other than more taxations in desperate effort to raise more revenue from the masses and most of the recipients of these funds if not all will continue to truncate these reforms. It won't work! And when Tinubu finally comes to us to BEG FOR FORGIVENESS in asking for a 2nd term or at the end of his tenure, NA OGUN GO KEE AM. Amen!

That's what we are talking about. The government of today is more or less a form of jamboree

press9jatv:
Hmm 🧐. Huge corruption in the education sector under Tinubu government

See how you de bend your mouth!
So, it's 'Under Tinubu's but Did You Border to Check- How Past Money have been Shared,in most of these Ministries, Agencies and Depts in Govt - both States and Federal
For example,we saw how some humongous money 💰 approved for a Project in one Eastern State,only to be Diverted by another Personality Not on the Projects at all!
The Truth is that we have romance Corruption because there is no Consequences for this Criminality!
Remember those that Short-changed Nigerians in Basic Things like - Light 🚨,Water 🌊,Roads Construction 🚧, Hospital Project,etc and Drugs Facilitators are all Shades of Corruption too!

.... They want it to yield enough interest before giving paying the workers..

press9jatv:
Hmm 🧐. Huge corruption in the education sector under Tinubu government

yes keep using Tinubu’s name to purport concealing your corrupted nature, whose fault is it that u were born in the Federal Republic of Nigeria?

I am sure also, it is president Tinubu’s fault?

Signature allowance? What's that supposed to mean? Is everyone mad in this country?

favor914:
yes keep using Tinubu’s name to purport concealing your corruption nature, whose fault is it that u were born in the Federal Republic of Nigeria?

I am sure also, is president Tinubu’s fault?

Tinubu government should do the needful by exposing the people that are embezzling the treasury meant for the people

press9jatv:
Hmm 🧐. Huge corruption in the education sector under Tinubu government

Wike knows about that money

no government "official" makes billions disappear just like that without approval from the very top

hmmm.


Please report any post or topic that violates the rules of Nairaland using the (Report) button.

I would like to ask the same question - what is
Signature allowance?

Imagine
They wanted to hide under teacher's strike to loot 4.1bn
Nigerian politicians are devilish
No wonder they can renovate a building for 39bn while teachers are yet to be paid
They know their zombies will defend them

press9jatv:
Tinubu government should do the needful by exposing the people that are embezzling the treasury meant for the people

Tinubu a corrupt man, should come & change the mind set of the corrupt people that he is governing?

U are who u are as Nigerians, once u touch down @ Murtala international airport or nnamdi Azikiwe international airport, welcome home to corruption country.

Customs & immigration will first start with the execution of corruption & collect their own.