Abia Teachers Set to Strike Over Unmet Demands — Schools May Shut Down!

The Abia wing of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has threatened to go on strike on Thursday because the state administration is allegedly not implementing its requests.
Journalists in Umuahia were given access to a statement signed by the union’s secretary, Nnenna Okonkwo, and chairman, Friday Madu, on Sunday.

According to the union leaders, its members in public elementary and secondary schools have been instructed to go on strike on Thursday.

According to Mr. Madu, the seven-day warning that was given to the administration would end on Wednesday.

He claimed that despite a 14-day ultimatum and a statement sent to all parties involved on March 28, the administration had not responded to or carried out its demands.

He claimed that neither the minimum wage nor the Teachers Salary Structure (TSS) were included in the March salary payment.

The union chairman pointed out that in March, the judiciary and other unions with special wages, such as the Medical and Health Workers Union, were compensated under the Special Salary Structure.

He claimed that even though Governor Alex Otti had approved a 65- and 40-year extension of service, the Abia State Universal Basic Education Board was still retiring the teachers.

“Among other things, promotions are given out randomly and without planning, as stated in our March 5 communiqué.” One of the issues is that basic school instructors are not paid their arrears.

Their requests stated, in part, that “it will be justifiable if Basic Schools Teachers are also considered, as our colleagues in the Secondary Education Management Board have started receiving part of their arrears.”