Amidst worker unrest, Wike orders council chairmen to pay minimum wage arrears, confirming N4.16 billion funding

After months of discontent and industrial action, hope is on the horizon for thousands of workers across the six Area Councils in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Minister Nyesom Wike has issued a clear directive: pay the workers their due — now.

During the 2025 International Workers’ Day celebration in Abuja, Wike, represented by Grace Adayilo, Head of the FCT Civil Service, addressed the crowd with sincerity and urgency. His concern was palpable as he acknowledged the grievances of Area Council employees, particularly those in critical sectors like education and healthcare, who recently took to the streets in protest.

At the heart of the protest is the non-payment of the new national minimum wage and its arrears — a situation Wike says is unjustifiable, especially since ₦4.16 billion has already been released to the councils for this purpose.

“The money is no longer the problem,” he said. “What is needed now is action, responsibility, and compassion for the people who keep our communities functioning.”

Wike also spotlighted several ongoing initiatives aimed at transforming the working environment for civil servants and educators alike. Schools are being rebuilt, renovated, and stocked with learning materials. Teachers are receiving attention like never before, and the focus on dignity in service is now central to the FCTA’s agenda.

Furthermore, civil servants across the board are benefitting from timely salary payments, zero pension arrears, and a renewed focus on career development. The FCTA is rolling out modern training and capacity-building programmes to equip staff with skills relevant to a 21st-century government.

“Our commitment is not in words alone,” Wike concluded. “We are delivering results, and we will continue to do so because we believe the strength of our administration lies in the strength of our workers.”