NEWS
Strike: FCT Minister Wike Speaks On Why Salaries Can’t Be Fully Paid
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said the government cannot spend all available funds on salaries and allowances while still meeting development needs across the country.
In a video posted on X (formerly Twitter) by his aide, Lere Olayinka, Wike addressed FCT workers under the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC), explaining the difficulties of balancing workers’ pay with infrastructure and governance responsibilities.
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He asked, “Nobody can just bring out the whole money and pay allowances and wages. How will we buy these vehicles? How will we construct the roads? How will we rehabilitate the schools?”
Wike recalled a period when funds were limited for previous FCT administrations and said, “And yet, you’ll say, when this minister was there, he couldn’t do anything. How will he do something? Will he go out and print money?”
He highlighted the growth in the FCT budget under his tenure: “When I came, this FCTA idea was ₦9 billion a month. Today, by the grace of God, we have nothing less than ₦30 billion every month.” He stressed that competing demands for public funds make it difficult to pay all obligations at once.
The minister emphasized the importance of performance measurement in governance: “Now, what is called performance? So, if we have ₦30 billion, and then we move ₦3 billion to augment for salary, and then we say, okay, we move another ₦10 billion for infrastructure, and then the remaining one, you have to run the… The moment you see ₦5 billion in the account, you remember that something that was not paid in 2015, it is now that they will pay it. That is not the way it is supposed to be.”
Wike also urged support for President Bola Tinubu’s administration, saying, “So, I appeal to you that the future of this country, for all of us, is that our President does the best he can do. But we can also support by being progressive-minded.”
Addressing the ongoing strike, Wike reminded FCT workers that the matter is still in court, advising compliance with the National Industrial Court order.
“It’s unfortunate when people say they will not obey court orders. That means we’re in a lawless society… We did not take the law into our hands; all we said was, let’s go and see who is wrong and who is right.
“We are still open for dialogue, but nobody should threaten the existence of anybody,” he said.
He assured workers that the problems affecting the FCT administration are being addressed progressively: “The whole essence is to have dialogue where there are problems, and say these problems, I can solve this now, leave this for me tomorrow, I’ll be able to solve that tomorrow.
“Nobody can solve all our problems, and as long as we are living, problems will come up. What is important is that you are focused and you are doing the best you can do. When you leave the office, another person will come and continue from where you stopped.”
Recall that FCTA workers under JUAC embarked on an indefinite strike on January 19, 2026, over unresolved welfare issues, disrupting public services in Abuja for over a week.
Wike had previously warned striking staff to return to work immediately or face legal action following the court ruling.
The Anambra State Government has released fresh details challenging former Governor Peter Obi’s claim that he left more than ₦2.13 billion in an ecological fund account before handing over power in 2014.
The state government made the disclosure in a statement released on Saturday, September 26, 2026, titled “Peter Obi’s Debts and Lies: More Questions Than Answers.”
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According to the statement, the account number cited by Obi as containing the ecological fund was actually the Anambra State Government’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) Consolidated Account.
The government said First Bank, in a letter dated September 16, 2026, confirmed that account 2018779464 was an IGR account and not an ecological funds account.
It further claimed that as of March 17, 2014, the account balance was not close to ₦2 billion and that the account never recorded an inflow or balance of ₦2.13 billion throughout its active period between 2011 and 2018.
The state government consequently questioned the whereabouts of the money Obi said he left as an ecological fund.
The latest development follows Obi’s earlier defence of his administration’s financial record, in which he said the ₦2.13 billion was released for the Oko/Umuchiana erosion control project and was deliberately left for his successor to execute.
Obi had also maintained that the ecological fund was separate from the savings he said his administration left behind.
However, the Anambra Government also challenged Obi’s account of the state’s overall financial position at the time he left office.
It alleged that his handover document highlighted assets and savings while failing to adequately disclose outstanding liabilities.
The government claimed that the document included valuations for incomplete projects such as the Nnewi Shopping Mall, Onitsha Hotel and Agulu Lake Hotel.
It also alleged that a purported ₦10 billion Federal Government refund was included in the stated net balance even though the money had not been received before Obi left office.
On road infrastructure, the government said Obi’s administration had awarded and signed contracts for 101 roads covering 779 kilometres, with outstanding liabilities of about ₦127 billion at the time of handover.
The state government argued that such liabilities should be considered alongside the savings and assets attributed to the administration when assessing the financial position inherited by Obi’s successor.
The fresh statement has therefore reopened questions over the disputed ₦2.13 billion ecological fund and the broader financial position of Anambra State at the end of Obi’s administration.
While the Anambra Government says bank records support its latest position, Obi has continued to defend his administration’s financial record and his account of the ecological fund.
Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged the new leadership of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission to prioritise regional unity, integration and engagement with the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
He made the call on Friday in New York, United States, while receiving the new ECOWAS Commission President, General Birame Diop (rtd), and his delegation on the sidelines of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday, September 26, 2026.
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Shettima urged the new ECOWAS leadership to prioritise regional integration and build stronger relationships among countries across West Africa.
“Beyond your administrative duties, your leadership of the commission must make deliberate efforts to build bridges of friendship across the sub-region. ECOWAS should be at the forefront of our engagement with emerging blocs in the area such as Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
“I urge ECOWAS under your leadership to champion the cause of regional integration and strengthen the bonds of unity and friendship among our people,” the Vice President said.
He also urged the commission to take private-sector participation seriously in the execution of the Lagos-Abidjan highway project.
Shettima congratulated Diop on his election, noting that he assumed office at a difficult time requiring greater synergy and cohesion among leaders and people of the sub-region.
The Vice President assured the new ECOWAS president of Nigeria’s continued cooperation and support, saying President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remained committed to efforts aimed at transforming the regional body.
“My boss, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is a man of honour and conviction who will always support efforts aimed at advancing the transformation of ECOWAS as a regional body, and the progress of the area in general,” Shettima said.
He added that Nigeria would continue to create an enabling environment for ECOWAS to succeed and contribute to the attainment of the vision and objectives set by its founding fathers.
Earlier, Diop commended Nigeria for its role in the establishment and sustenance of ECOWAS, as well as its sacrifices for the stability and prosperity of the sub-region.
He said the commission was facing challenges, including insecurity and lagging development, which required Nigeria’s intervention as a “big brother.”
The ECOWAS president described the organisation as a tool for regional stability that should be encouraged and supported, while urging other countries in the sub-region to cooperate with Nigeria towards achieving inclusive development and a better future for West Africans.
The meeting was attended by Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Jimoh Ibrahim and senior officials of the ECOWAS Commission.
Kenyan President William Ruto on Friday toured the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals Complex in Lekki, Lagos, where he was hosted by Dangote Group President and Chief Executive Officer, Aliko Dangote.
The visit comes ahead of the planned September 30 groundbreaking of a proposed 700,000-barrel-per-day refinery in Lamu, Kenya, being developed with Dangote.
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The Dangote Group had earlier confirmed that Dangote would host Ruto during his visit to the Lagos refinery.
The planned Kenyan refinery is expected to expand refining capacity in East Africa and strengthen petroleum supply in the region.
Ruto had earlier said discussions with Dangote and Africa Finance Corporation CEO Samaila Zubairu focused on financing and final preparations for the project.
Dangote is targeting a combined refining capacity of 2.1 million barrels per day through the planned expansion of the Lekki refinery and the proposed Kenyan facility.
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