RismadarVoice Reporters
January 6, 2026
Teachers in Abia State, under the umbrella of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), have threatened to embark on an indefinite strike if the state government fails to address their welfare demands within seven days.
The threat is contained in a notice of ultimatum dated January 5, 2026, and jointly signed by the Abia State NUT Chairman, Mr. Kingsley Mmadu, and the State Secretary, Mrs. Nnenna Okonkwo.
According to the union, the seven-day ultimatum, which expires at midnight on Monday, January 12, 2026, follows what it described as the state government’s inaction on issues earlier raised in a communiqué issued on December 19, 2025.
The union warned that the industrial harmony currently being enjoyed in the state’s education sector was being endangered by the failure of relevant government officials to respond to teachers’ grievances.
“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,” the ultimatum stated.
The NUT also demanded the payment of outstanding salary arrears owed to primary and junior secondary school teachers, the immediate release of the 2020/2021 promotion results, and the reinstatement of the 27.5 per cent Teachers’ Special Salary Structure for primary school teachers.
Other demands listed by the Union include salary harmonization 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 the correction of what it described as the wrongful remittance of NUT dues to the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU).
The Union further called for the cancellation of the proposed Computer-Based Test (CBT) format for promotion interviews.
The NUT warned that failure to meet its demands at the expiration of the ultimatum would leave it with no option than to direct its members to commence an indefinite strike.
The Union, however, noted that it had consistently made efforts to avoid industrial action, urging the state government to act swiftly in the interest of teachers, students and the education system in the state.
