Strike shuts down Ebonyi College, disrupts exams as lecturers protest poor welfare

By Jeff Agbodo, Abakaliki

ABAKALIKI — Academic activities at the Ebonyi State College of Education Ikwo have been grounded following a one-week warning strike embarked upon by lecturers over poor conditions of service.

The industrial action, which took effect this week, disrupted scheduled examinations as lecture halls were deserted and academic work brought to a halt.

The striking lecturers are demanding the implementation of a living wage, payment of pensions and gratuities to retired staff, and improved welfare conditions.

The action followed the expiration of earlier 14-day and 7-day ultimatums issued to the state government and the institution’s management, which, according to the lecturers, were not met.

A visit to the college revealed a near-total shutdown, with the main gate, offices, lecture halls, and laboratories under lock and key. Only a handful of students were seen on campus, loitering in small groups and discussing the situation.

Chairman of the College of Education Academic Staff Union, Dr. Ama Nnachi, said the strike was necessitated by the failure of authorities to implement the 2024 salary structure.

He lamented that lecturers have continued to earn wages based on an outdated minimum wage structure dating back to 2010, describing the situation as dire.

“Some of our members who have worked for over 20 years earn less than N30,000 monthly. In today’s economic reality, that is unacceptable,” he said, adding that irregular salary payments have further worsened their plight.

Nnachi also decried the non-payment of pensions and gratuities to retired staff, noting that many former employees are left without support after decades of service.

However, the Provost of the institution, Professor Benedict Mbam, denied that the strike had led to the cancellation of examinations, insisting that students were already on Easter break.

He also dismissed claims that lecturers earn below the N18,000 minimum wage, stating that salaries are determined by grade levels and subject to statutory deductions.

Mbam further described allegations that he had failed to advocate for staff welfare before the state government as unfounded.

The development has heightened tension within the institution, with uncertainty looming over the resumption of academic activities if the impasse between lecturers and authorities persists.

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