NTI centre managers suspend strike, reach agreement with management

The National Centre Managers’ Forum (NCMF) of the National Teachers’ Institute (NTI), Kaduna, has suspended its warning strike six days after it began.

In a statement by its National Chairman, Tam Frank, and National Secretary, Mamuda Doguwa, the forum said the decision followed discussions with the institute’s management.

The forum has also directed its members to resume work immediately and fully participate in teaching practice and other official activities.

“In view of the foregoing agreements and the commitment demonstrated by the NTI management, the leadership of the Forum considers it appropriate to suspend the ongoing strike action,” the statement reads in part.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that the strike began on 12 October over unpaid honoraria.

The forum had said its members were owed for the first and second semesters of each year from 2020 to 2025, plus the first semester of 2026. It said it wrote to management on 13 July and held talks at the institute’s headquarters, but to no avail.

The affected programmes included the Pivotal Teacher Training Programme, the Nigeria Certificate in Education, the Bachelor’s Degree Programmes and the Postgraduate Diploma in Education. The forum had warned that it would prepare for an indefinite strike if its demands were not met within the month.

Agreement reached

According to the statement, the forum and the agency’s management met and agreed on six issues.

During the meetings, the Director-General of NTI, Sadiya Daura, was represented by her Special Technical Assistant, Salisu Bature, a professor.

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The statement said the payment of all outstanding allowances to centre managers and facilitators will begin in the last week of November, with later payments in instalments.

NTI management also agreed that once the arrears are cleared, allowances for each new semester will be paid within a month of the semester’s end.

The statement noted that from the next examination, the forum will get invigilation slots in every state and can nominate its members to fill them.

“The first and second batches of course materials have been released to the State Coordinators. All Centre Managers are therefore advised to liaise with their respective State Coordinators to collect the materials,” the statement added.

“The second-semester results are expected to be released shortly. Furthermore, another batch of certificates is expected to be released between 14 and 20 November 2026. All issues relating to payments owed to host institutions will be reviewed for appropriate action.”

The forum thanked Ms Daura and Mr Bature for “concern, professionalism, and maturity”, noting that the forum hopes the management will keep to the agreement.