The Abia State Standing Committee of the Nigerian Union of Teachers, NUT has finalized plan to commence a strike action on Thursday. This plan was due to “stringent measures on teachers” by the State Governor, Alex Otti.
According to report, the decision was birthed after careful deliberation of the matter at an enlarged meeting of representatives from the national, state and branch level of the NUT which was held on the 4th of March. A follow-up meeting by the Abia State Standing Committee was also held on the 28th of March.
Prior to the commencement of the strike, a 14-day ultimatum was issued following a seven-day notice to the Governor, asking for immediate resolution to the issues or face industrial action.
In a statement released to the press on Saturday, the NUT expressed worry over the welfare of its members. The statement was signed by the State Chairman, C. Madu Friday and the State Secretary, Mrs Nnenna Okonkwo.
The Abia State NUT statement
The statement reads “Following the trend of unpalatable events that have been unfolding since our last communiqué of March 5, 2025, to His Excellency and other education stakeholders in the state, the State Standing Committee met to re-examine how far the government has gone in addressing the union’s demands but was shocked that no positive attention has been given in that regard.
“The Leaders-in-Session further observed that the March 2025 salary excluded both the minimum wage and the Teachers’ Salary Structure, while other unions with special salary arrangements, such as the Medical and Health Workers Union and the judiciary, were paid using their special structures in March.
“Teachers are still being retired by ASUBEB, despite His Excellency’s approval of the 65 years/40 years service extension. Promotions are released haphazardly without coordination, among other issues detailed in our communiqué of 5th March 2025, as attached.
“Non-payment of arrears to teachers in basic schools remains part of the problem. Since their colleagues in SEMB have started receiving parts of their arrears, it would be justifiable for basic school teachers to be considered as well.
“We frown at such stringent measures on teachers and hereby resolve that a 14-day ultimatum be given to the government for these issues to be resolved amicably. Otherwise, the union may no longer be able to guarantee members’ unalloyed service to their employer—the government—for a worker deserves better conditions of service.
“It is our fervent hope that he will not allow the situation teachers have found themselves in to degenerate further.”
