NUT plans protest over alleged move to divide union in Delta

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) is preparing to stage a peaceful protest in Delta State on Thursday, July 30, 2026, citing alleged efforts to fracture the union and disregard a 2018 agreement. The union has notified the Department of State Services and requested security for its members.

“

The NUT said its decision was triggered by a meeting convened on July 20 by the Office of the Secretary to the State Government with ASSUS and other stakeholders over the reversal of the ₦500 check-off levy deduction by the Office of the Head of Service.

The planned protest follows a July 20 meeting convened by the Office of the Secretary to the State Government with the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASSUS) and other stakeholders. This meeting addressed the reversal of a ₦500 check-off levy deduction by the Office of the Head of Service. However, the NUT protested its exclusion from this meeting, arguing that as a major stakeholder and signatory to the 2018 agreement, its participation was essential.

“

However, the NUT, in another letter dated July 23 and addressed to the Secretary to the State Government, protested its exclusion from the meeting.

The NUT contends that holding discussions on matters affecting the union without its presence could disrupt industrial harmony in the state's education sector. The union also stressed that trade union matters and check-off dues are regulated by federal law and fall under the Registrar of Trade Unions' authority, asserting that no association can alter existing arrangements outside the legal framework.

“

The union argued that it was a major stakeholder and signatory to the agreement reached in 2018, adding that no discussion on the matter should have taken place without its participation.

The 2018 agreement, established under former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa's administration, approved a quarterly ₦500 levy. The NUT maintains that no subsequent meeting has been held to review or amend this decision, and any attempt to alter it without all parties' involvement would constitute a breach of understanding. While reaffirming its commitment to dialogue, the NUT warned against interpreting its preference for peaceful engagement as weakness.

“

It warned that holding meetings on issues affecting the union in its absence could create unnecessary divisions and disrupt industrial harmony in the education sector.