Kaduna Teachers Threaten Showdown Over Non-Payment of ₦70,000 Minimum Wage

The Kaduna State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has issued a stern warning to the state government, insisting on the immediate implementation of the ₦70,000 minimum wage recently signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The union has given the administration until the end of August 2025 to commence full payment or risk a complete shutdown of public schools across the state.

According to iReporter Online, President Tinubu signed the new minimum wage bill into law on May 29, 2025. However, teachers and local government workers in Kaduna have yet to receive any adjustments to their monthly earnings, prompting widespread concern among the education workforce.

Speaking to journalists in Kaduna, the state NUT Chairman, Comrade Ibrahim Dalhatu, expressed deep frustration over the prolonged delay, describing it as a disregard for the welfare of teachers who continue to serve under mounting economic pressure. He warned that the union is prepared to initiate an indefinite strike if the issue is not promptly addressed.

Dalhatu emphasized that the delay in implementation is affecting not only teachers but also a broad range of civil servants whose salaries are managed through local government structures. He noted that the rising cost of living has made the situation increasingly unbearable for workers.

According to iReporter Online, part of the delay has been attributed to a staff verification process required by the government before rolling out the new wage scale. Although much of the verification has been digitized, Dalhatu questioned why physical screening was still pending, further slowing down progress.

The union’s leadership stressed that it would resort to decisive action should the minimum wage remain unpaid by the given deadline. This stance, according to iReporter Online, signals a possible disruption in academic activities across Kaduna’s public schools, with the NUT determined to stand firm in its demand for fair compensation under the new national wage structure.