The Niger State branch of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), has declared an indefinite strike from May 4, 2021, due to the inability of the state government to meet the demands of the union after it suspended a previous strike that took place last February.

The union made the announcement in a statement made available to journalists in Minna on Monday, April 3, stating that the declaration of the strike followed the resolution by the state Working Executive Committee of the NUT held on April 30, 2021.

The statement which was jointly signed by the state Chairman of the union, Ibrahim Umar; the NUT Principal Assistant Secretary-General, Labaran Garba; ANCOPS state President, Ahmed Jafaar, and OPSHON Chairperson, Fatima Abdullahi Kutigi, demanded an immediate refund of five months end-well scheme, outstanding members’ deductions, and union dues/check-off dues as well as the provision of security guards to all schools in the state.

Other demands are the immediate implementation of N30,000 minimum wage for primary school teachers on grade level 7 and above; payment of October 2020 salaries to primary school teachers, and refund of salary cut for April 2021 to all teachers.

The union noted further that teachers at all levels in the state have always been treated as second-class citizens, stressing that the situation will not be allowed to continue anymore.