A wave of unrest swept through Ebonyi State on Sunday as over 3,000 teachers from the 13 local government areas stormed the streets of Abakaliki, the state capital, in protest against the non-payment of their salaries for three months and the continued denial of the minimum wage. The demonstration, which disrupted major roads, is an indication of growing frustration among educators, who blame the council chairmen for their plight.
The teachers expressed their dissatisfaction by passing a vote of no confidence on the local government chairmen, claiming the unpaid salaries have led to tragic consequences, including the reported deaths of three teachers in December.
The protests follow a directive issued by Governor Francis Nwifuru, who had recently ordered the council chairmen to clear the backlog of salaries within 24 hours to ensure teachers could celebrate Christmas like their counterparts in other sectors. However, the directive was reportedly ignored, deepening tensions across the state.
For hours, protesters barricaded key locations, including the entrance of the Akanu Ibiam International Conference Centre and Onwe Road, paralyzing traffic. Holding placards with inscriptions such as “We Are Dying of Hunger,” “Pay Our 3 Months’ Salaries,” and “UBEB Teachers Are Suffering,” the teachers made their demands loud and clear.
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One of the protesters, Mrs. Udu Nnenna, lamented their dire situation, stating: “For three months, we haven’t received our salaries. No bonuses, no minimum wage, no arrears, and no promotions. Every day, we’re called for screening, yet nothing comes out of it. We’re tired of spending what little we have on transportation for futile screenings.”
Another teacher, speaking on condition of anonymity, decried the disparity in treatment, revealing, “SEB teachers have been paid their salaries, minimum wage, and even Christmas bonuses. Meanwhile, UBEB teachers have been left to starve for three months.”
The protest took a dramatic turn when Ebonyi State Commissioner for Education, Paul Awo Nwabosi, confronted the protesters. Instead of addressing their grievances, he allegedly ordered the arrest of their leaders, who were forcibly taken away in a government vehicle. Efforts to get further comments from the commissioner proved futile as he left the scene without responding to reporters.
Similarly, the Chairman of the Ebonyi State chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Mr. Chinedu Uburu, failed to respond to calls for comments at the time of filing this report.
