World Teachers’ Day: Kano NUT demands salary parity, GL 16 for senior teachers

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Kano State Wing, has called on the Kano State Government to harmonise the salaries and conditions of service of primary and secondary school teachers.

The state NUT Chairman, Comrade Baffa Ibrahim Garko, made the call in his address at the 2026 World Teachers’ Day celebration in Kano, with the theme, “Standing with Teachers: 60 Years of Protecting the Profession, Advancing its Status, and Shaping Our Future.”

Garko also urged the government to upgrade eligible teachers on Grade Level 15 to Grade Level 16, particularly those serving in senior administrative positions, to ensure they retire at the appropriate directorate level.

He said teachers who had dedicated decades to the education sector should not be disadvantaged in career progression or retirement benefits.

The NUT chairman further called for the implementation of outstanding promotions and their financial benefits, as well as improved welfare packages for teachers across the state.

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He appealed for a review of the Secondary Schools Upkeep Programme to ensure adequate funding for maintenance, repairs, sanitation, furniture and teaching materials.

Garko also requested the provision of an official bus for the NUT to facilitate its official activities across the state and called for proper payment of principals’ duty posts and allowances in view of their administrative and academic responsibilities.

He urged the state government to consider declaring October 5 a public holiday in Kano in recognition of teachers’ contributions to society.

While making the demands, Garko commended Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s administration for regular salary payments, implementation of promotions, provision of teaching and learning materials, school infrastructure projects and interventions under the state’s emergency measures on education.

He also applauded the state’s improved performance in NECO examinations, attributing the progress to government investment and the dedication of teachers.

Garko called for the recruitment of more teachers to address manpower shortages and sustained investment in infrastructure, instructional materials and other measures to motivate and retain qualified teachers.

He, however, urged teachers to reciprocate government’s efforts through punctuality, professionalism and commitment to their duties.

“Let us be mentors, not merely teachers,” Garko said, urging teachers to shun unethical conduct and uphold the dignity of the profession.

He said the union’s demands were made in the spirit of dialogue and partnership, stressing that improving teachers’ welfare remained essential to achieving quality education in Kano State.