NUT plans protest over alleged move to divide union in Delta

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The Nigeria Union of Teachers has announced plans to stage a peaceful protest in Delta State over what it described as attempts to divide the union and undermine an agreement reached with the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools in 2018.

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The union said the protest is scheduled for Thursday, July 30, 2026, and has notified the Department of State Services, requesting security protection for its members.

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In a letter dated July 24 and signed by the Delta State Secretary of the union, Dan Basime, the NUT said the planned protest followed recent developments which, according to it, could threaten industrial peace in the state’s education sector.

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The union 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.

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

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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.

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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.

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The NUT also maintained that issues relating to trade unions and check-off dues are regulated by federal law and fall under the authority of the Registrar of Trade Unions.

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It added that no association has the power to change existing arrangements outside the legal framework.

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The union recalled that the 2018 stakeholders’ agreement, convened by the administration of former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, approved a quarterly ₦500 levy and insisted that no meeting had been held since then to review or amend the decision.

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It said any attempt to reverse or alter the agreement without the involvement of all parties would amount to a breach of the understanding reached at the time.

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The union reaffirmed its commitment to dialogue and collective bargaining but stressed that its preference for peaceful engagement should not be seen as a sign of weakness.

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It also expressed support for the administration of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and his M.O.R.E. Agenda.

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As of the time of filing this report, the Delta State Government and ASSUS had yet to respond to the planned protest or the issues raised by the union.

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If the protest goes ahead, it is expected to draw attention to the lingering disagreement over check-off dues and union representation in the state’s education sector.

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