Teachers’ Union Praises Idris’ Reforms, Debunks Salary Rumours

Kebbi State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has commended Governor Nasir Idris’ education reforms, saying they will transform the sector. Addressing journalists, NUT Kebbi chairman Comrade Zaki Sarki praised the governor’s decision to raise the teachers’ retirement age from 60 to 65, saying the action will boost their morale and job security.

“We commend Governor Nasir Idris for his magnanimity and foresight in extending the retirement age of teachers,” Sarki said. He highlighted increased funding for the school-feeding programme, now N350 million monthly, up from N250 million.

Sarki also noted teachers’ enrolment in the Kebbi State Contributory Health Management Agency (KECHEMA) health-insurance scheme and extensive school renovations, including “Mega Schools” in each emirate.

Union secretary Comrade Gazali Hassan -Maccido urged the public to ignore salary payment misinformation, explaining salaries are disbursed through Local Government Education Authorities (LGEAs) and the Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB).

“The NUT handles welfare issues of teachers. We’ve no formal complaints about salary shortfalls,” Comrade- Gazali said, attributing misconceptions to confusion between gross and net salaries.

He commended Governor Idris for salary increments and capacity-building initiatives for unqualified teachers, saying, “The governor opted to build capacity rather than sack them.”

The union reaffirmed its commitment to working with the government to strengthen education delivery in Kebbi, endorsing the governor’s balanced approach to reform and welfare.