The Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Abia State chapter, has suspended its planned indefinite strike following a two-day technical meeting with the Acting Secretary to the Abia State Government, Dr Emmanuel Meribole.
The decision was announced in a statement jointly signed on Friday by the state chairman of the union, Madu Friday, and the state secretary, Mrs Nnenna Okonkwo.
Earlier, the union had issued a seven-day ultimatum on January 5, 2026, to draw the state government’s attention to the welfare challenges facing teachers across Abia State. However, Friday disclosed that Governor Alex Otti, upon being briefed on the situation, directed the Acting SSG to intervene.
According to him, Meribole subsequently convened a negotiation meeting between the union and representatives of the state government, leading to the signing of a Memorandum of Action aimed at addressing key demands.
Among the agreements reached are the immediate reinstatement of teachers affected by the 65/40 years service elongation policy, with at least two months’ salary to be paid as a sign of commitment. The government also agreed to issue General Form 35 for the 2022/2023 promotion to teachers who scored 60 per cent and above within the first week of schools’ resumption.
The agreement further provides for the inclusion of Teachers’ Special Salary (TSS), amounting to 27.5 per cent of basic salary, for primary school teachers in the January 2026 salary. Minimum wage adjustments for senior secondary school teachers are also expected to reflect in the January 2026 salary, with arrears to be paid later.
Additionally, leave allowances will be paid once identified anomalies are resolved, while a committee has been set up to address issues relating to salary arrears, salary harmonisation and running costs for junior secondary and primary school teachers within seven working days.
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Following the outcome of the talks, the union held an emergency State Working Committee meeting and resolved to suspend the seven-day ultimatum to give the government time to implement the agreement.
The NUT commended Governor Alex Otti for his swift intervention and expressed appreciation to the Acting SSG, the Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Labour Matters, and the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education for their roles in resolving the issues.
The union confirmed that schools will resume as scheduled on Monday, January 12, 2026, and urged teachers to remain law-abiding and committed to their duties.
