Gov. Nasir Idris of Kebbi on Tuesday announced plans to form a high-powered committee to review salary-related complaints and grievances raised by primary school teachers across the state.
Idris made the announcement in Birnin Kebbi during an interactive meeting with primary school teachers, Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) officials, education managers, local government chairmen, and education stakeholders.
He stated that the committee would examine issues surrounding the implementation of the new minimum wage and other salary adjustments, with a report expected within one month.
The governor explained that the decision followed complaints from teachers about the current salary structure. He assured them that his administration would address all genuine concerns to find lasting solutions.
“As a teacher and former labor leader, I understand teachers’ concerns and will never ignore issues affecting their welfare. We will set up a committee, headed by a qualified professional, to review all complaints and submit its report within 30 days,” he said.
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to improving teachers’ welfare and strengthening the education sector. He noted that no administration in Northern Nigeria has invested more in education than Kebbi’s current government, citing interventions in infrastructure, personnel development, and workers’ welfare.
Idris also directed all local government chairmen to publicly declare their councils’ allocations and salary commitments before his administration began, comparing them with current receipts to determine whether salary increases had been implemented.
To promote transparency, Idris called on Education Secretaries and Finance Directors in the Local Government Education Authorities (LGEAs) to verify and attest to the figures provided by their councils.
He emphasized that verified data and official records are essential to dispel misconceptions about the implementation of the minimum wage and salary structure for primary school teachers.
The governor assured teachers that their concerns would be given due attention, reaffirming his administration’s focus on education, teachers’ welfare, and overall development. He urged stakeholders to remain patient and constructive while the committee conducts its review.
Earlier, Prof. Suleiman Khalid, Executive Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), praised the governor for what he called unprecedented investment in education. Khalid highlighted interventions such as school construction and renovation, teacher training, and welfare programs, describing the meeting as historic and a reflection of the governor’s commitment to direct engagement with teachers.
The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Yakubu Bala-Tafida, added that Kebbi was among the first states to implement the new minimum wage, noting that the current salary structure was adopted after extensive consultations with government and labor representatives.
Teachers present at the meeting acknowledged the government’s efforts in education and expressed appreciation for improvements in welfare and infrastructure. However, they called for a review of salary disparities between primary and secondary school teachers.
