The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Abia State, over the weekend, announced the suspension of its planned indefinite strike.
The announcement followed an emergency meeting the leadership of the Union held with representatives of the state government.
The suspension of the industrial action was communicated in a statement over the weekend issued in Umuahia and jointly signed by the State Chairman of the union, Mr. Friday Madu, and the Secretary, Mrs. Nnenna Okonkwo.
Mr. Madu explained that the union resolved to suspend its earlier seven-day ultimatum to allow the government sufficient time to implement the terms contained in a Memorandum of Action reached during the negotiations.
“The ultimatum, which was issued on January 5, arose from several unresolved issues between the union and the state government,” he said.
According to him, the union’s key demands include the resolution of alleged irregularities surrounding the 65/40 years service elongation policy, as well as the reversal of what it described as illegal disengagements, unjustified removals from the payroll, and arbitrary demotions of teachers.
Mr. Madu commended Governor Otti for his prompt intervention, noting that negotiations were convened by the Acting Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Emmanuel Meribole.
He stated that the Memorandum of Action agreed upon provided for the immediate reinstatement of all teachers affected by the 65/40 service elongation policy, alongside the payment of at least two months’ outstanding salaries.
The union chairman further disclosed that teachers who scored 60 per cent and above in the promotion examinations would receive their Grade Level 35 promotion letters for the 2022/2023 period within the first week of school resumption.
He added that the agreement also included the implementation of a 27.5 per cent Teachers’ Special Salary (TSS) allowance for primary school teachers, which is expected to reflect in their January 2026 salaries.
Mr. Madu said adjustments arising from the new minimum wage for senior secondary school teachers would similarly take effect in January 2026, while arrears would be paid at a later date.
He noted that the payment of leave allowances would commence once all required specifications were ratified and identified anomalies addressed.
According to him, a committee has been constituted to harmonise salaries and running costs, including the computation and payment of outstanding arrears for junior secondary and primary school teachers.
The NUT chairman affirmed that the union has directed its members to comply with the state government’s directive on the resumption of schools on Monday, January 12.
He urged teachers across the state to remain law-abiding, maintain professionalism, and continue to discharge their duties diligently.
