Teachers in Abia State, under the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), have issued a seven-day ultimatum to the state government, warning that they will embark on an indefinite strike if their welfare demands are not met.
The warning was contained in an ultimatum dated January 5, 2026, and jointly signed by the Abia State NUT Chairman, Kingsley Mmadu, and the State Secretary, Nnenna Okonkwo.
According to the union, the ultimatum, which expires at midnight on Monday, January 12, 2026, follows the government’s failure to act on concerns earlier raised in a communiqué issued on December 19, 2025.
The NUT expressed concern that the industrial peace currently enjoyed in the state is being threatened by what it described as persistent neglect of teachers’ grievances by relevant government authorities.
In the ultimatum, the union listed a wide range of unresolved issues affecting its members.
“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 union also rejected the proposed introduction of a Computer-Based Test for promotion interviews, calling for its immediate cancellation.
It warned that failure by the state government to address the demands before the expiration of the ultimatum would force the union to direct its members to commence an indefinite strike, a step it said it has consistently tried to avoid in the interest of industrial harmony.
