Abia Teachers Issue Strike Ultimatum, Cite Welfare Neglect
Public school education in Abia State may face disruption as teachers have issued a seven-day ultimatum to the state government over unresolved welfare concerns, raising fears of an impending shutdown of classrooms across the state.
The warning was issued by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Abia State chapter, following what it described as prolonged government silence on long-standing grievances affecting its members.
The ultimatum, dated January 5, 2026, was jointly signed by the union’s state chairman, Kingsley Mmadu, and secretary, Nnenna Okonkwo.
According to the union, the deadline for government action expires at midnight on Monday, January 12, 2026.
The teachers said the notice became necessary after authorities allegedly failed to respond to issues earlier outlined in a communiqué released on December 19, 2025.
NUT leaders warned that the current atmosphere of industrial peace in the state’s education sector is under threat, blaming the situation on what they termed indifference by relevant government agencies to teachers’ welfare.
Among the major issues raised are alleged irregularities surrounding the 65/40 years service elongation policy, including reported cases of unlawful disengagement, removal of teachers from the payroll, and the demotion of head teachers.
The union is also demanding the settlement of outstanding salary arrears owed to primary and junior secondary school teachers.
Other demands include the release of the 2020/2021 promotion results, reinstatement of the 27.5 per cent Teachers’ Special Salary Structure for primary school teachers, and harmonisation of salaries for teachers on the same grade levels.
The union further called for the implementation of consequential minimum wage adjustments for secondary school teachers.
Additional concerns listed by the NUT include the non-release of approved running costs for head teachers, unpaid leave allowances, and the alleged misdirection of union dues meant for NUT to the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU).
The teachers also rejected the proposed use of Computer-Based Tests for promotion interviews, calling for its cancellation.
The union cautioned that if the government fails to address these demands before the ultimatum expires, it would have no alternative but to instruct its members to commence an indefinite strike, a move it said it has repeatedly tried to avoid in the interest of students and the state’s education system.
As of the time of filing this report, the Abia State Government had yet to issue an official response to the ultimatum.
