Friday, October 9, 2026

Abia teachers threaten indefinite strike over welfare

The ultimatum, which expired at midnight on January 12, followed what the union described as government inaction on issues raised earlier in a December 19, 2025, communiqué.

• January 7, 2026
Abia Governor, Alex Otti
Abia Governor, Alex Otti [Photo: Facebook]

The Abia chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers has threatened to embark on an indefinite strike if the government fails to address its welfare demands within seven days.

The threat is contained in a notice of ultimatum issued on Monday and signed by the Abia NUT chairman, Friday Madu, and the Secretary, Nnenna Okonkwo.

The ultimatum, which expired at midnight on January 12, followed what the union described as government inaction on issues raised earlier in a December 19, 2025, communiqué.

The union lamented that the industrial harmony currently enjoyed in the state was being endangered by the failure of relevant government officials to act on teachers’ grievances.

Key among the demands are the resolution of alleged irregularities in the 65/40 years service elongation policy, including illegal disengagement of teachers, removal from payroll, and demotion of head teachers.

Others include the payment of outstanding salary arrears owed to primary and junior secondary school teachers and reinstatement of the 27.5 per cent Teachers’ Special Salary Structure for primary school teachers.

The NUT also demanded salary harmonisation among teachers on the same grade level and implementation of consequential minimum wage adjustments for secondary school teachers.

It also demanded the release of approved running costs for head teachers and payment of outstanding leave allowances.

Part of the NUT demand is also the correction of the alleged wrongful remittance of NUT dues to the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions.

It further called for the cancellation of the proposed computer-based test format for promotion interviews.

The union warned that failure to meet these demands at the expiration of the ultimatum would leave it with no option but to direct its members to commence an indefinite strike.

(NAN)

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