The national leadership of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) has warned against the non-payment of salaries and other entitlements of teachers in most Nigerian states.
The NUT President, Micheal Olukoya, gave the warning on Tuesday during an emergency National Executive Council meeting of the union in Kaduna State, northwest Nigeria
He stated that such situation, if not properly addressed, could lead to an industrial dispute.
Mr. Olukoya described the situation where teachers in some states were not being paid their salaries as totally unacceptable.
He appealed to the government at level to take the welfare of teachers in the country more seriously and ensure that their welfare was given proper attention in the interest of education development in Nigeria.
The NUT President equally expressed displeasure with the autonomy granted to the local governments in the management of primary school teachers’ salaries, rather than allowing the Universal Basic Education Board in each state to perform such function as enshrined in the law.
He urged the Federal Government to recruit only qualified teachers as promised in 2016, noting that anything short of the right requirement for those employed might jeopardise the future of young Nigerians.
Olukoya further voiced his support for the ongoing strike by teachers in Bayelsa State as he pleaded with the state government to settle the six months unpaid teachers’ salaries.
The NUT members, on their part, emphasised that that the role of teachers to national development was one that could not be toyed with by any government.
They asked the Federal and state governments to urgently address all outstanding issues that could lead to any industrial action.
