The Abia State Government has moved to reassure teachers across the state that concerns regarding discrepancies in pay between primary and junior secondary school teachers under the new minimum wage structure are being actively addressed. This reassurance follows a communique issued by the Abia chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), which hinted at a possible strike action due to the government’s failure to implement the Teachers Salary Structure (TSS) in line with the new ₦70,000 minimum wage.

Speaking to the press after the weekly Executive Council meeting chaired by Governor Alex Otti, the state’s Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, emphasized the administration’s commitment to teacher welfare. He asserted that the current government has consistently paid salaries and pensions without delay, positioning Abia as one of the first states to adopt the ₦70,000 minimum wage. In addition to prompt payments, the government has also extended the retirement age for teachers from 60 to 65, a move intended to retain experienced educators in the school system.

Kanu acknowledged that a segment of the teaching workforce remains dissatisfied due to salary discrepancies between different education levels, but he suggested that the issue is being exaggerated, potentially by political opposition. He reiterated that the government is committed to resolving these concerns in a manner that is fair and sustainable. As part of its broader effort to enhance the quality of education in the state, the administration has introduced incentives aimed at encouraging teachers who previously left the profession due to unpaid wages under past administrations to return to the classroom.

Further demonstrating its dedication to education reform, the state government recently concluded the second phase of a large-scale teacher training initiative. Held from April 9 to 19, 2025, the training involved 2,200 teachers from all 17 local government areas. Organized by the Educational Reform and Innovation Team (ERIT), the program focused on equipping teachers with modern teaching techniques and 21st-century educational competencies.

Kanu reaffirmed the administration’s stance, noting that teacher welfare remains a top priority and that constructive dialogue, not industrial action, is the best path forward. The government, he said, is fully committed to addressing teachers’ grievances in a transparent and responsible manner, while continuing to implement policies that will transform the state’s education system.