2 January 2025/SUNTV Global Channel/News
Teachers in Taraba State have issued a strong political warning to Governor Agbu Kefas, demanding the immediate payment of four months’ salary arrears or risking the loss of their support in the 2027 governorship election.
The Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Taraba State chapter, made its position clear during a remembrance event held in honour of the late former NUT chairman, Jonah Katabs. Speaking at the event, the state NUT chairman, Nathan Solomon Tsa’asen, said teachers across the state are no longer willing to endure what he described as neglect, broken promises and worsening welfare conditions.
Tsa’asen reminded the governor of the electoral power of teachers, stressing that their votes should no longer be taken for granted.
“You are politicians; we are not. But you will come looking for us,” he said. “There are over 20,000 teachers in Taraba State. Elections are coming, and we are telling the government to put its house in order. Let teachers enjoy, so we can also be happy to re-elect you. The truth is that government is owing us four months’ salaries.”
While acknowledging that part of the unpaid salaries was inherited from past administrations, the union leader insisted that the responsibility of settling the arrears now lies squarely with the current government.
The warning comes amid growing public frustration over the state of basic education in Taraba, despite Governor Kefas’ widely publicised declaration of “free and compulsory education” during his 2023 inauguration.
Rather than reforms, the policy has reportedly thrown the education sector into deeper crisis. Across several local government areas, classrooms are overcrowded, poorly maintained, or completely unfit for learning. In some schools, pupils reportedly sit on bare floors due to a lack of desks, while cracked walls, leaking roofs and missing infrastructure have become common sights.
Teachers, already stretched thin, say poor welfare and unpaid salaries have further weakened morale and learning outcomes.
Education stakeholders warn that the free education policy, launched without adequate funding, planning and teacher welfare provisions, has merely boosted enrolment figures on paper while eroding the quality of education in reality.
As political activities gradually build toward 2027, Taraba teachers have made one thing clear: their support will now be tied to action, not promises.
— SUNTV Global Channel
