Abia classrooms may soon fall silent as teachers say patience has limits — and this time they’re counting in days, not terms.
The Nigeria Union of Teachers in Abia State has thrown a seven-day red card to the state government, threatening an indefinite strike if officials fail to fix a long list of welfare complaints.
In a notice signed by Chairman Friday Madu and Secretary Nnenna Okonkwo, the union accused the government of sitting on grievances earlier submitted in a December 19 communiqué. The ultimatum expires midnight January 12, 2026, and the NUT says industrial harmony in the state is now hanging by a thin piece of chalk.
Top on the demand board is the messy 65/40 years service elongation policy, which the union claims has produced illegal disengagements, payroll removals, demotions, and the humbling of several head teachers. Teachers are also asking for payment of salary arrears owed to primary and junior secondary school staff, the return of the 27.5% Teachers’ Special Salary Structure, and harmonisation of pay for educators on the same grade level.
The NUT further called for implementation of consequential minimum wage adjustments for secondary school teachers, release of approved running costs, payment of leave allowances, and correction of what it described as wrongful remittance of union dues to another body.
And there’s more. Teachers want the proposed computer-based test for promotion interviews scrapped, as well as the cancellation of CBT-style promotion exams, warning that technology should not become another hurdle in already difficult times.
“If these demands are not met, we’ll have no option but to direct our members to begin an indefinite strike,” the union warned, a move that could shut schools across the state.
Leave a comment