Abia NUT Temporarily Suspends Strike to Allow Government Negotiations

The Abia State branch of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has announced the temporary suspension of its planned strike action to allow time for negotiations with the state government.

The union had earlier issued an ultimatum demanding the resolution of key issues, including concerns over teacher salary structures, alleged cases of premature retirement, and disparities in monthly imprest between head teachers and principals.

In a statement released after a meeting held on Wednesday, the union confirmed it had engaged in dialogue with representatives of the Abia State Government. The discussions addressed the working conditions of teachers in public basic and secondary schools across the state.

The statement, signed by NUT Secretary Nnenna Okonkwo, noted that the union does not consider Governor Alex Otti to be the source of teachers' grievances, describing his administration as teacher-friendly.

“In the spirit of good faith and to provide space for further dialogue, we have agreed to temporarily withhold the commencement of our planned strike,” the statement read.

According to Okonkwo, the government has requested additional time to resolve the union’s concerns, and the NUT has accepted this request in the hope of fostering meaningful negotiations.

“We believe this gesture will promote constructive engagement and potentially lead to mutually beneficial outcomes,” she added.

The NUT also expressed gratitude to the Abia State Government for its willingness to engage in discussions and reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the welfare of teachers and upholding the quality of education in the state.