After 14 years, Katsina teachers demand return of suspended 27.5% allowance

The Katsina State Wing of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has appealed to the state government to restore the 27.5 percent teachers’ allowance suspended since 2011.

Chairperson of the union, Rakiya Shehu-Runka, made the appeal when she spoke at the NUT State Delegates Conference in Katsina.

Rakiya-Runka, who was recently re-elected, said teachers in many states across the country were enjoying the allowance, while their counterparts in Katsina had been denied the benefit for over a decade.

She expressed concern over the continued suspension of the allowance in spite of repeated appeals by the union, stressing that its restoration would boost teachers’ morale and improve service delivery in schools.

She said: “The restoration of the allowance will ensure industrial harmony in the education sector. 

“It will also motivate our teeming teachers and improve their productivity.”

The chairperson commended the administration of Governor Dikko Radda for its investments in the education sector, particularly the construction and renovation of primary and secondary schools, as well as the training and retraining of teachers.

She also lauded the government for recruiting 7,000 teachers and for the ongoing replacement of 2,000 others across the state.

Meanwhile, delegates at the conference elected a new executive council to run the affairs of the union for the next four years.

Rakiya-Runka was returned unopposed as chairperson, while Aliyu Ibrahim-Matazu was re-elected deputy chairman.

Others elected include Abdullahi Ibrahim, Sani Nasiru, Abdu Bako-Matazu, and Yahaya Wada as first, second, third, and fourth vice chairmen respectively.

Also elected were Suwaiba Hassan as Treasurer; Usman Dalha, First Internal Auditor; Yunusa Muhammad-Batsari, Second Internal Auditor; Mamuda Abdu, Publicity Secretary; and Ibrahim Umar as Social Secretary.

Others elected were Bashir Musa-Shehu as Assistant Social Secretary; Ibrahim Musa, National Representative; and Hamisu Muhammad as State Editor.

Speaking after the election, Rakiya-Runka thanked delegates for the confidence reposed in her leadership and pledged to justify the mandate.

She said: “I sincerely thank you all for the confidence and trust you have placed in me. 

“I humbly accept this responsibility and pledge to serve with honesty, dedication, and fairness.”

She assured members that the union would continue to prioritise teachers’ welfare, strengthen the organisation, and support initiatives aimed at improving the quality of education in Katsina State.

Rakiya-Runka further called on members to remain united and committed to the objectives of the union, noting that collective effort was necessary to address challenges facing teachers and advance the profession.