The Abia State Government has announced proactive measures to resolve the grievances raised by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), which had threatened to commence an indefinite strike on Thursday.
State Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, disclosed this during a press briefing in Umuahia following the State Executive Council meeting. The NUT’s demands include the implementation of the Teachers’ Salary Structure (TSS), enforcement of the 65-year retirement age, and the 40-year service elongation policy for educators.
Kanu acknowledged that some teachers had raised concerns over salary disparities between primary and junior secondary school teachers but described the online outcry as exaggerated, attributing part of the agitation to political opposition.
He emphasized the Otti administration’s commitment to workers’ welfare, noting that Abia was among the first states to implement the N70,000 minimum wage. The commissioner also highlighted government efforts to incentivize teachers who had previously left classrooms due to unpaid salaries under past administrations.
“Contrary to claims of neglect, this administration has introduced compensation packages to encourage teachers to return to schools and has already raised the retirement age from 60 to 65 years,” Kanu stated.
He revealed that the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education was in active discussions with NUT leadership to resolve outstanding issues, reaffirming the government’s dedication to maintaining a motivated teaching workforce.
“The allegations against this government are unfounded. We remain focused on sustainable solutions that prioritize both education quality and teachers’ welfare,” Kanu added.
The government’s intervention comes as part of broader reforms aimed at revitalizing Abia’s education sector and preventing disruptions to academic activities.
