Ebonyi teachers declare indefinite strike over unpaid salaries

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Ebonyi State Wing, has directed its members in seven Local Government Areas of the state where salaries are owed to embark on an indefinite strike.

The strike which commenced at 12 a.m. on Thursday, February 6, 2025, was announced in a statement issued by the State Secretary of the union, Bassey Asuquo, on Thursday.

The affected LGAs are Edda, Ebonyi, Ezza South, Ezza North, Ishielu, Ivo, and Ohaukwu.

The chairmen of the affected LGAs were alleged to owe teachers four months salaries covering October, November, December, and January.

According to the statement, the union directed its members in the seven LGAs to down tools after negotiation with the relevant authorities in the affected councils failed to produce fruitful results.

Asuquo further noted that the declaration of the industrial action was done after due consultations with relevant organs of the union at the state and national levels.

He stated: “Sequel to our earlier notice on mobilisation for industrial strike, we have thoroughly reviewed the compliance of Local Government Area chairmen regarding the clearance of our members salaries.

“As of the close of work on Wednesday, we acknowledge that some LGAs have cleared the backlog of salaries owed to our members.

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“However, we regret to inform you that several chairmen of LGAs have failed to clear the backlog of our members outstanding salary arrears.

“In response to this non compliance therefore, we hereby declare indefinite strike action in the affected council areas which include Edda, Ebonyi, Ezza North, Ezza South, Ishielu, Ivo, and Ohaukwu LGAs.

“All our state branch officers in the affected LGAs are instructed to adhere strictly to this directive and ensure the immediate enforcement of the strike action from 12 a.m. on Thursday, February 6.

“The failure of these LGAs chairmen to meet their obligations to our members is unacceptable and we will not relent until our demands are met.

“We call on all our members to remain steadfast and continue their support for the strike.”

There was 100 per cent compliance of teachers to the strike in all the schools in Ebonyi LGA in day one of the industrial action.

Teachers in schools including Ezza High School, Ishieke, Presco Secondary School, Urban Model Secondary, and Nnodo Secondary School, all in Ebonyi LGA, were seen discussing in groups while pupils and students were seen trekking back to their respective homes.

The Star