The ultimatum was issued in a communiqué released after an emergency meeting of the State Standing Committee, held at the Teachers’ House Secretariat, Umuahia. The document has since been formally submitted to the government.
According to the Union, the state government has failed to respond to an earlier communiqué dated March 5, 2025, which outlined several critical issues affecting teachers. The NUT expressed frustration over the government’s silence and inaction.
Top among the Union’s concerns are the non-implementation of the national minimum wage and the Teachers Salary Structure (TSS) in the March 2025 salary payments. They also condemned the continued retirement of teachers by the Abia State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB), despite Governor Alex Otti’s approval of a new retirement age of 65 years or 40 years of service.
Other grievances include irregular promotion exercises and the non-payment of salary arrears to teachers in Basic Schools. The Union decried the disparity in treatment between Basic School teachers and those under the State Education Management Board (SEMB), who have begun receiving partial arrears.
The communiqué, signed by NUT State Chairman, Comrade Madu Friday C., and State Secretary, Comrade Mrs. Nnenna Okonkwo, emphasized that the Union may no longer guarantee uninterrupted teaching services if the government fails to meet their demands within the 14-day window, starting from March 28, 2025.
Despite the stern warning, the Union expressed hope that Governor Alex Otti—described as "ebullient and indefatigable"—will take swift action to resolve the issues and avert an educational crisis.
All eyes are now on the government as the countdown begins.
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