Abia NUT Sheaths Sword, Says Strike Will Not Hold

The Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Abia State wing says it will not go ahead with the planned industrial action, following a two-day engagement with the Abia State government.

In a statement issued on Friday at the end of an emert SWEC meeting, signed by the Chairman, Comrade Madu Friday C. and the Secretary, Comrade Mrs Nnenna Okonkwo and made available to newsmen said the reason for withholding the strike is to give the government room to implement the Memorandum of Action entered during their palley.

The union therefore upheld the resumption of schools on Monday, 12th January, 2026 as earlier announced by the state government while appreciating Governor Alex Otti for his swift intervention on the matter.

The NUT had on January 5, 2026 issued a seven day ultimatum to draw the attention of the government to the plight of teachers after according to them, all peaceful avenues were exhausted.

The threat is contained in a notice of ultimatum dated Jan. 5, 2026, and signed by the Abia State NUT Chairman, Kingsley Mmadu, and the State Secretary, Nnenna Okonkwo.

The ultimatum, which was to expire at midnight on Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, followed what the union described as government inaction on issues earlier raised in a communiqué dated Dec. 19, 2025.

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

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

“We demand the payment of outstanding salary arrears owed to primary and junior secondary school teachers, immediate release of the 2020/2021 promotion results, and the reinstatement of the 27.5 percent Teachers’ Special Salary Structure for primary school teachers.

“We also demand salary harmonisation among teachers on the same grade level, implementation of consequential minimum wage adjustments for secondary school teachers, release of approved running costs for head teachers, payment of outstanding leave allowances, and correction of the alleged wrongful remittance of NUT dues to NASU.”

The NUT 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, an action it said it has consistently tried to avoid.

After their SWEC meeting on Friday, the union explained that the Abia State government has entered into a Memorandum of Action with them to implement the issues raised, some of them by the end of January, 2026.

The communique reads in part:
The SSG therefore convened a negotiation meeting between the union and the state government whereby a Memorandum of Action (MoA) was raised as follows:

1. All successful teachers on service elongation policy of 65/40 years be reinstated immediately and be paid at least 2 months salary to show commitment on the parts of the government.

2. Immediate issuance of Gen. 35 for 2022/2023 promotion to teachers who scored 60% and above within the first week of school’s resume. To be collected from various LGEAs.

3. Inclusion of TSS (27.5% of Basic salary), for Primary School teachers would be reflected in January 2026 salary.

4. Minimum wage and consequential adjustments for senior secondary school teachers would be reflected in January 2026 salary and there is paid subsequently.

5. Leave allowances will be paid once the required specifications and identified anomalies are ratified.

6. Because of the complexity observed on the issues of salary areas for JSS and primary school teachers, harmonization of salaries and running costs, a committee was set up to resolve the issues within seven working days.