Abia Teachers Issue 7-Day Ultimatum, Warn of Endless Strike Over Unmet Demands
Story: written by Joseph January 7,2026
The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Abia State has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the state government, warning that it will embark on an indefinite strike if longstanding welfare concerns are not resolved.
The warning was contained in a notice released on Monday and jointly signed by the state NUT Chairman, Friday Madu, and the Secretary, Nnenna Okonkwo. According to the union, the deadline, which elapsed at midnight on January 12, followed the government’s failure to act on issues earlier raised in a communiqué dated December 19, 2025.
The union expressed concern that the prevailing industrial peace in the state’s education sector was being threatened by what it described as official neglect of teachers’ complaints.
Among the major demands is a review of alleged abuses linked to the 65/40 years service extension policy, including unlawful disengagement of teachers, removal from the payroll and the demotion of head teachers.
The NUT is also calling for the settlement of outstanding salary arrears owed to primary and junior secondary school teachers, as well as the restoration of the 27.5 per cent Teachers’ Special Salary Structure for primary school educators.
Other demands include salary alignment for teachers on the same grade level, implementation of consequential minimum wage increases for secondary school teachers, release of approved running costs for head teachers and payment of outstanding leave allowances.
The union further urged the government to correct the alleged diversion of NUT dues to the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions and to scrap the proposed computer-based test format for promotion interviews.
The NUT warned that if the government fails to meet these demands after the ultimatum, it would instruct its members to down tools indefinitely.
