The Abia State Government has reiterated its firm commitment to improving the welfare of teachers by fully implementing the 27.5% Teachers’ Salary Structure (TSS), settling outstanding leave allowances, and effecting the financial implementation of the 2022/2023 promotion exercise.
This assurance was made by the Executive Chairman of the Abia State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB), Lady Mrs. Ezihe Lydia Onuoha, during an interactive session with the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Abia State Chapter, held in Umuahia.
In her remarks, Lady Onuoha praised the NUT for its constructive dialogue and commendable decision to suspend its planned industrial action in the interest of Abia’s pupils and the educational sector. She noted that Governor Alex Otti has approved the implementation of the TSS and leave allowance as part of a broader effort to motivate teachers and address longstanding issues of pay disparity.
“Unlike previous administrations that cited fiscal constraints, the current government prioritizes the welfare of educators. His Excellency has not only approved TSS but also directed the prompt clearance of all entitlements, including backlog of leave allowances and 2022/2023 promotions,” she stated.
Lady Onuoha further emphasized that all staff redeployments and transfers are guided strictly by civil service rules, assuring that no teacher is being targeted or victimized. She also addressed concerns about delayed running costs, explaining that some schools had not met accountability requirements, such as opening official school accounts and submitting timely financial retirements.
She clarified that the ongoing teacher verification exercise aims to create a secure digital database to support promotions, career development, and educational planning—not to witch-hunt staff. She condemned acts of document forgery, illegal self-promotion, and unauthorized levies collected by some headteachers, which she said contradict the state’s free and compulsory education policy.
Highlighting further reforms, Lady Onuoha revealed that teacher transfers would be rationalized in collaboration with Education Secretaries across all 17 LGAs. She applauded Governor Otti’s approval of 20 Smart Schools and the statewide retrofitting of public schools, urging the NUT to commence sensitization on retirement planning to help teachers prepare better for life after service.
She also instructed Education Secretaries, Heads of Accounts, and Heads of Administration to gather accurate data within 14 working days to ensure immediate implementation of the Governor’s approvals.
In response, Comrade Madu Friday C., State Chairman of the NUT, expressed gratitude to Governor Otti for his prompt intervention and for averting industrial action. He acknowledged the inherited administrative challenges and appealed for continued collaboration in addressing them.
Other NUT leaders, including State Secretary Comrade Nnenna Okonkwo and Deputy Chairman Comrade Nwaji Nwaed, praised the administration’s pro-education policies. They also called for clear implementation of the 5-year service elongation and urged the government to address the proper remittance of union dues, warning that legal actions may follow non-compliance.
Comrade Okonkwo, in her vote of thanks, lauded the Governor’s approval of the TSS, leave allowances, and promotions, describing them as morale-boosting measures that would bridge pay gaps among teachers. She also called for continued engagement with the union as the state prepares to train teachers for the new Smart Schools.
The interactive session included robust discussions and clarifications and was attended by key ASUBEB officials and education stakeholders, including Board Member I, Dr. Onyebuchi Onyegbule; Secretary, Dr. Uzoamaka Amah Mba; Board Member III, Mr. Harrison Onuke; Dean of Education Secretaries, Kalu Chijioke Azuma; and other senior staff and NUT executives.
