By Joyce Ekeh
Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has approved a N1 billion appreciation fund for teachers in the state and ordered the immediate reinstatement of all disengaged teachers below the statutory retirement age of 65.
Otti also directed the payment of outstanding salaries owed teachers affected by verification challenges, as well as the 4,075 newly recruited teachers who are yet to receive their wages.
The governor gave the directives on Monday in Umuahia while addressing teachers during the 2026 World Teachers’ Day celebration.
He said no teacher below 65 should remain out of service because of previous disengagement.
Otti said the N1 billion appreciation fund would be shared equally among teachers, regardless of when they joined the state’s teaching service.
“I have instructed the Accountant-General of the State to share money equally to all of you. Whether you joined today or you joined 64 years ago, the total amount that I have — the amount for all of you — is one billion naira.”
Teachers below 65 to return
The governor directed the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education to immediately reinstate all affected teachers who are below 65 years.
“I want to give instructions from here to the Honourable Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education that anybody who is less than 65, if they have been disengaged, you must return them back.”
Otti said no further approval was required for the reinstatement.
“You don’t require any further approval, I’ve given the approval from here — please bring all of them back, even if it is six months before retirement. Bring them back,” he ordered.
He said the decision reflected his administration’s commitment to fairness, transparency and consistency in government policy.
Salary, promotion arrears
Otti also directed that teachers whose salaries were withheld because of verification issues should be paid by the end of October.
The governor similarly ordered the immediate payment of the salaries of the 4,075 newly recruited teachers who have yet to receive their wages.
On promotion arrears, he directed the Abia State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB) to conclude the processing of teachers’ 2021 and 2022 promotions and harmonise the process with the Office of the Head of Service for his approval.
He said the affected teachers must be promoted before the end of October.
The governor further directed the immediate payment of outstanding check-off dues, giving the Accountant-General seven days to clear the arrears.
Otti said several of the concerns raised by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) had already been addressed, while efforts were ongoing to resolve others.
Education foundation of Abia’s development
The governor said his administration’s investment in education was aimed at repositioning the sector as the foundation for the state’s development.
He pointed to the ongoing development of smart schools across the 17 local government areas, saying the initiative was designed to equip pupils for the future while complementing, rather than replacing, conventional education.
Otti also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to free and compulsory education.
He congratulated Abia pupils who excelled at the international school’s debate championship in Qatar and those who emerged among the top performers in the National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations.
NUT seeks more welfare measures
Earlier, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Elder Goodluck Ubochi, said the theme of the 2026 World Teachers’ Day celebration, “Standing with Teachers: Protecting the Profession, Advancing Citizens, and Serving Our Teachers,” highlighted the strategic role of teachers in nation-building.
Ubochi said the administration had implemented reforms covering teacher recruitment, professional development, improved school infrastructure, modern learning environments and smart schools.
The state Chairman of the NUT acknowledged improvements in the education sector, including increased budgetary allocation, mass recruitment, free and compulsory basic education and the extension of teachers’ retirement age from 60 to 65 years.
He, however, called for further improvement in teachers’ welfare and the resolution of outstanding challenges.
The celebration ended with a march-past by teachers from across the state.
