Umuahia, March 4, 2025 – The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Abia State Chapter, has voiced growing concerns over what it described as “persistent neglect and systemic sabotage” of teachers’ welfare in the state, despite commendable efforts by Governor Alex Chioma Otti to reposition the education sector.
This position was made known in a communiqué issued at the end of an enlarged emergency meeting of NUT representatives from national, state, and branch levels, held on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at the Old Teachers’ Secretariat, Umuahia.
While appreciating the Governor’s ongoing reforms—including prompt salary payments, approval of a new minimum wage of N70,000, and the 5-year extension of retirement age for teachers—the union expressed disappointment at the role of some officials in the Local Government Education Authorities (LGEAs) and the Abia State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB), whom they accused of frustrating government policies meant to benefit teachers.
Highlights of the Communiqué Include:
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Call for Full Implementation of TSS:
The union demanded the immediate inclusion of the Teachers’ Salary Structure (TSS), a 27.5% increment on basic salary, into the monthly salaries of primary school teachers, lamenting that its suspension was orchestrated by staff who are not beneficiaries of the structure. -
Salary Disparities and Harmonization:
Teachers revealed irregular salary payments across the 17 LGAs and SEMBs, even among staff on the same grade level. The union demanded swift harmonization, warning that “justice delayed is justice denied.” -
Delayed Promotion Implementation:
The NUT called for the immediate implementation of all pending promotions under General 35, as delays continue to demoralize deserving teachers. -
Non-payment of Arrears:
Although senior secondary school teachers have begun receiving salary arrears, their junior and primary counterparts are yet to be paid. The union blamed the Accountant General’s office for disobeying the Governor’s directive and urged urgent intervention to avoid industrial unrest. -
Transport Allowance Removal:
The union expressed outrage over the exclusion of junior secondary school teachers' transport allowance from February salaries and demanded its immediate restoration and arrears payment. -
Burden of Repeated Verifications:
Members condemned the endless verification exercises, describing them as wasteful, risky, and disruptive, especially amidst rising insecurity. They requested the use of existing verification outcomes for planning and processing. -
Unjust Retirements:
The union decried the premature retirement of some teachers despite the government’s approval of service elongation. They demanded reinstatement and payment of withheld salaries. -
Union Dues Misappropriation:
The NUT uncovered instances where dues deducted from teachers' salaries were wrongly credited to other unions like NASU. They demanded a full refund and a probe into the matter. -
Flawed Transfer Process:
Teachers challenged ASUBEB’s handling of teacher transfers without consulting local education offices, resulting in avoidable hardship. They urged ASUBEB to liaise with LGEAs who better understand the terrain. -
Non-compliance with Running Cost Policy:
The forum criticized some government officials for failing to implement the Governor’s directive on monthly running costs for school heads. They demanded full payment of arrears dating back to October 2024. -
Message to Junior Secondary Teachers:
Teachers in this category were urged to remain calm, with assurance that Governor Otti—known for his responsiveness—would act on their concerns once formally brought to his notice.
The union concluded by reaffirming their support for the Governor’s vision, while urging him to take decisive action on the issues raised to safeguard the integrity and morale of Abia’s teaching workforce.
Signed:
Comrade Mrs. Nnenna Okonkwo, Secretary
Comrade Friday C. Madu, State Chairman
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