The State Wing Executive Council (SWEC) of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Delta State Wing, has resolved to exercise restraint in the face of growing calls for industrial action by teachers, opting instead to allow on-going dialogue with government and other education stakeholders to continue.
The decision was reached during a SWEC meeting held recently at Teacher’s house in Asaba , where the leadership briefed members on the efforts being made to address issues affecting teachers across the state.
Addressing the session, the State Chairman of the union, Comrade Dickson Poubeni, reiterated his earlier commitment to constructive engagement and peaceful dialogue with relevant authorities.
Poubeni appealed to members of SWEC to grant the leadership more time to sustain negotiations, expressing optimism that “the discussions would yield positive results for teachers in due course.”
He disclosed that the Standing Committee had already initiated consultations with key education stakeholders and noted that the responses received so far had been encouraging.
According to him, “dialogue remains the most responsible pathway to resolving the issues affecting teachers while ensuring stability in the academic system.”
The SWEC, while granting the executive additional time to continue discussions, also empowered the leadership to convene an emergency meeting should the dialogue break down or fail to produce satisfactory outcomes. Such a meeting, it was agreed, would take a final decision on the appropriate course of action, including possible industrial measures.
Earlier, teachers in the state held a solemn assembly to seek divine intervention on the challenges confronting the education sector, welfare of teachers, pupils and students in Delta State.The prayer session was anchored by Malam Shaibu Aliyu , Venerable Emmanuel Afamefune and Pastor Isioma Mordi , who urged teachers to remain hopeful and united while leadership efforts continue to secure improved conditions of service.
Participants prayed for leaders ,wisdom and a peaceful resolution of the issues affecting teachers in the state.
The union noted that several states across the federation have already approved the designation of Headmaster-General and Principal-General, a policy that elevates eligible university graduate teachers in primary and secondary schools to Grade Level 17.
Among the states that have implemented the policy according to immediate past state chairman,Comrade Titus Okotie and incumbent State secretary of the NUT,Comrade Dan Basime are Edo, Anambra, Bayelsa, Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, Kebbi, Niger and Gombe, among others.
Observers say the initiative has significantly boosted teachers’ career progression, motivation and professional recognition in those states.
It would be recalled that Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, was honoured by the Nigeria Union of Teachers during the World Teachers’ Day celebration in 2025, where he received an award of excellence as Best Governor in Teachers’ Welfare, in recognition of his administration’s support for the education sector.
Education stakeholders are now watching closely as the on-going dialogue continues, with many expressing hope that a mutually beneficial outcome will be reached without disrupting academic activities in schools across Delta State.b