Federal Government Colleges in Nigeria will remain shut, unless government pays a backlog of the entitlements dating back to 2007, teachers in Unity schools have vowed.
“It’s an indefinite strike,” the chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, federal government colleges wing, Emeka Okonta, stated.
Teachers are demanding their promotion arrears from 2007 to 2010, the balance for 2011 promotion arreas as well as arrears of salaries to some staff for July, August, September, and October 2013.
They are also asking the government to pay end-of-year incentives to teachers, provide payment in lieu of hotel accommodation for the first 28 days.
Federal government schools were originally scheduled to resume September 22 following an extended holiday over the outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease.
But the teachers say they have decided not to resume until all their benefits owed by the government are cleared.
However, the chief press secretary to the Minister, Timothy Akpoili,revealed that the ministry was doing everything possible to see that the strike was called off soon.
“By Wednesday this week, the strike will be over. Everything is being handled at our level and we are doing everything possible to see that the strike is called off immediately,” Mr Akpoili said.