By Aliyu Usman, Birnin Kebbi
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Kebbi State has commended Governor Nasir Idris over the approval of consequential salary adjustments and responsibility allowances for primary school teachers across the state.
The state NLC Chairman, Comrade Murtala Usman, described the decision as a significant intervention in the welfare of primary school teachers, saying improved remuneration could support efforts to strengthen basic education in Kebbi.
Usman made the remarks in a statement on Monday while reacting to the new salary structure and other benefits approved for teachers.
NLC Hails Responsibility Allowance for Primary Teachers
According to the NLC chairman, the government’s decision goes beyond consequential salary adjustments, as it also provides responsibility allowances for primary school teachers.
Usman described the allowance as an unprecedented step in Kebbi State and the wider northern region, saying he was not aware of another governor in the region who had previously approved such an allowance for primary school teachers.
The approval follows the work of a Kebbi State Government committee that reviewed the salary structure of primary school teachers and submitted its recommendations to Governor Idris.
The committee also recommended responsibility allowances for head teachers and supervisors as part of its proposals for improving the administration of primary education in the state.
Governor Idris Described as Teacher-Friendly
Usman said the latest approval had reinforced the NLC’s view of Governor Idris as a governor who has placed the welfare of teachers among his priorities.
He argued that improved remuneration for primary school teachers was particularly important because primary education provides the foundation upon which subsequent levels of education are built.
“We commend the governor for the kind gesture extended to primary teachers and we rejoice with them for the new salary structure and the responsibility allowances. No doubt, it will give teachers a new sense of belonging,” Usman said.
The development follows months of discussions around the salaries and working conditions of primary school teachers in Kebbi.
The salary review also comes against the backdrop of the state government’s broader position on workers’ welfare. The Bureau Journal previously reported that Governor Idris pledged to implement any new national minimum wage approved by the Federal Government as labour unions continued negotiations over workers’ pay.
More Than 29,000 Teachers Identified in Salary Review
The committee’s earlier report provides the background to the latest salary decision.
It identified more than 29,000 primary school teachers across Kebbi and recommended a comprehensive personnel audit and biometric verification exercise to establish an accurate database of education personnel.
The exercise was also designed to address issues relating to promotions, retirements, resignations and transfers while helping the government maintain more reliable payroll records.
The committee had noted disparities in salary implementation between primary and secondary school teachers and recommended measures to improve the administration of the primary education payroll.
Governor Idris had said the government was concerned about the relatively low take-home pay of some primary school teachers despite the implementation of the ₦75,000 minimum wage in the state.
He also disclosed that the state’s monthly salary allocation for teachers had increased from about ₦586 million when he assumed office to more than ₦1.2 billion.
NLC Calls for Greater Commitment From Teachers
While welcoming the improved pay structure, the NLC also urged teachers to respond with greater commitment to their duties.
Usman said improved remuneration should be accompanied by professionalism, dedication and adherence to the responsibilities expected of teachers in the classroom.
“While they enjoy their new pay, I urge them to live above board by justifying the increments through dedication to duties and maintaining high professional standards in the classes,” he said.
The call places teacher welfare alongside performance and accountability as key elements of the state’s education agenda.
The position also echoes recent comments by the Kebbi State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers. The Bureau Journal reported that the NUT recently pointed to teachers’ welfare, school infrastructure and learning conditions while discussing developments in Kebbi’s education sector.
Teacher Welfare Comes as Kebbi Tackles School Challenges
The salary adjustment comes at a time when the Kebbi Government is dealing with several challenges affecting education, including security concerns in some communities.
School closures have previously been implemented in areas affected by insecurity, with the state government saying the measures were intended to protect students, teachers and other education workers.
Teacher welfare is therefore only one component of the wider challenge facing the state’s basic education system. The availability of teachers, their working conditions, school infrastructure and the security of learning environments all affect the ability of schools to function effectively.
NLC Promises Support for Kebbi Government
The labour body said it would continue to support development initiatives of the Kebbi State Government, particularly policies aimed at improving workers’ welfare and strengthening public services.
Usman said the union’s position was intended to encourage the government to do more for workers and residents across the state.
The NLC’s support comes amid the administration’s broader development programme covering education, infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture and other sectors.
The state government has also continued to pursue reforms in other areas of public administration and finance, with increased attention on revenue mobilisation and institutional capacity.
Implementation Will Be the Next Test
With the salary structure and allowances now approved, attention will shift to implementation and the actual administration of the new benefits.
For more than 29,000 primary school teachers identified in the government’s review, the impact of the decision will ultimately depend on how efficiently the new salary structure is reflected in payroll and how responsibility allowances are administered.
The government’s earlier personnel audit recommendations could also become important in ensuring that salary payments are based on accurate and up-to-date records.
For the NLC, the latest approval represents an improvement in teacher welfare. For the government, the next stage will be demonstrating that the approved structure can be implemented consistently while maintaining accurate personnel records and sustainable public finances.
For teachers, the NLC has made clear that improved remuneration also comes with an expectation of greater dedication to classroom duties and professional standards.
The development therefore places teacher welfare, payroll administration and classroom performance at the centre of Kebbi’s continuing education debate.
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