Teachers in Abia State, under the umbrella of the Nigeria Union of Teachers 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 Jan. 5, 2026, and signed by the Abia State NUT Chairman, Kingsley Mmadu, and the State Secretary, Nnenna Okonkwo.

The ultimatum, which expires at midnight on Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, follows what the union described as government inaction on issues earlier raised in a communiqué dated Dec. 19, 2025.

The union lamented that the industrial harmony currently enjoyed in the state is being endangered by the failure of relevant government officials to act on teachers’ grievances.

The ultimatum read, “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.

“We demand the payment of outstanding salary arrears owed to primary and junior secondary school teachers, immediate release of the 2020/2021 promotion results, and the reinstatement of the 27.5 percent Teachers’ Special Salary Structure for primary school teachers.

“We also demand salary harmonisation 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 correction of the alleged wrongful remittance of NUT dues to NASU.”

The NUT further called for the cancellation of the proposed Computer-Based Test format for promotion interviews.

The union warned that failure to meet these demands at the expiration of the ultimatum would leave it with no option but to direct its members to commence an indefinite strike, an action it said It has consistently tried to avoid. (The PUNCH)

Update news