By El-Yakub Dabai, Birnin Kebbi
The Kebbi State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Zaki Sani S.K., says teachers with minimum professional teaching certificates, whose salaries previously fell short of the approved minimum wage of N75,000, have had their take-home pay reviewed upwards to reflect the current salary structure.
Addressing journalists at a press briefing in Birnin Kebbi, the Chairman said the adjustment became necessary when it came to the attention of the state government that some professional teachers were not enjoying the approved minimum wage as a result of misappropriation of funds in some quarters.
Consequently, he said, Governor Nasir Idris set up a fact-finding committee that toured the 21 local government areas in the state, and 17,620 teachers are now beneficiaries. He added that those with ND, HND and other non-professional qualifications would enjoy the pay rise after acquiring teaching qualifications.
S.K. thanked Governor Idris for the kind gesture, as well as for employing teachers and for the construction and rehabilitation of schools statewide, especially the mega schools, adding that it was clear testimony that the Governor had not forgotten his constituency.
He added that Governor Idris had previously extended the retirement age for teachers from 60 to 65 years and years of service from 35 to 40 years, a reform he had advocated for while serving as National President of the NUT.
The NUT Chairman called on teachers to reciprocate the government’s gesture through renewed dedication, commitment and professionalism, noting that the administration had maintained an open-door policy towards taking education to the next level.
