In a decisive push to resolve the ongoing salary crisis affecting basic education teachers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, and Minister of State for Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, have taken the matter directly to the National Assembly.
The ministers are jointly advocating for the creation of a State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) for the FCT — a system already in place across Nigeria’s 36 states. They argue that establishing an FCT SUBEB is crucial to ensuring sustainable, structured funding and to permanently end the recurring salary delays that have plagued the territory’s teachers.
Speaking at the launch of the National Policy on Non-State Education held on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, in Abuja, Dr. Alausa highlighted that the current practice — where the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) pays teachers directly — is unsustainable. Without a formal SUBEB, the FCT remains ineligible for Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) matching grants, which significantly fund basic education nationwide.
Alausa stressed that while strike actions by teachers may be temporarily suspended, a lasting solution requires systemic reforms.
The ministers’ engagement with lawmakers aims to align the FCT’s education structure with national standards and unlock critical UBEC funding. By seeking legislative approval for an FCT SUBEB, Wike and Alausa hope to secure consistent funding and improve the welfare of teachers.
This initiative aligns with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes expanding access to quality education and strengthening accountability in public institutions.
If approved, the establishment of a dedicated FCT SUBEB is expected to transform basic education delivery and end years of salary crises for FCT teachers.
