The Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) in Ebonyi State has embarked on an indefinite strike in seven local government areas, leaving thousands of students stranded. The strike, which commenced on Thursday, February 6, 2025, is in protest of the non-payment of four months’ salaries to some teachers.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!In a statement released by NUT Secretary, Bassey Asuquo, the union expressed its disappointment with the local government chairmen’s failure to clear the outstanding salaries despite previous warnings. The affected local government areas include Ebonyi, Edda, Ezza South, Ezza North, Ivo, Ishielu, and Ohaukwu.
According to Asuquo, the union had no option but to declare the strike, as the local government chairmen’s non-compliance with their demands left them with no choice. “We call on all members to remain steadfast and continue their support for the strike action,” Asuquo stated.
The Commissioner for Education, Prof. Paul Nwobasi, has intervened in the matter, summoning a meeting with the affected local government chairmen and union executives. However, the NUT failed to attend the meeting, prompting Nwobasi to reschedule another meeting for Friday, February 7, 2025.
“We have rescheduled another meeting with NUT tomorrow, Friday, February 7, 2025, and other union executives to resolve the matter because they have not made their grievances known to the Ministry of Education,” Nwobasi said.
The strike has already taken its toll on students, who were sent home by union leaders and teachers on Thursday. As the situation unfolds, the Ebonyi State Government and the NUT will engage in further negotiations to resolve the dispute and restore normalcy to the affected schools.