Thousands of Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) part-time teachers employed across Federal Unity Colleges in Nigeria have commenced a coordinated withdrawal from normal academic activities as anger and frustration continue to mount over the Federal Government’s prolonged delay in regularising their appointments and improving their welfare conditions.
The development, which is already affecting several Federal Unity Colleges across the country, has triggered disruptions in teaching activities, with affected teachers insisting that years of neglect, poor salaries and unfulfilled promises have pushed them to the brink.
Messages obtained from affected teachers in various Unity Colleges confirmed that the industrial action is gradually spreading nationwide, with many schools recording full or partial compliance.
Some of the messages circulating among the teachers read: “FGGC Gboko complying fully,” while another stated, “Fully compliance by FGGC Potiskum.” Another update declared, “FGC Azare total closure, solidarity forever,” reflecting the growing level of participation and solidarity among affected workers.
The schools involved in the coordinated action span different regions of the country and include Federal Government Girls’ College (FGGC) Gboko in Benue State, FGGC Potiskum in Yobe State, Federal Government College (FGC) Azare in Bauchi State, FGC Jos in Plateau State, FGC New Bussa in Niger State, and FGC Ilorin in Kwara State, among others.
One of the affected teachers, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, confirmed that the withdrawal from academic duties had already gained momentum across several Unity Colleges nationwide.
According to the teacher, the protest strategy adopted by many of the workers involves suspending classroom teaching while still reporting to school premises for limited administrative or personal activities. In some schools, however, teachers reportedly stayed away entirely.
“Many affected PTA part-time teachers across Federal Unity Colleges have now begun a coordinated withdrawal of normal academic activities in solidarity over the unresolved regularisation issue,” the teacher said.
Clarifying the nature of the protest, the source explained further, “Withdrawal from normal academic activities means many teachers are not teaching. Some people still come to school for personal or administrative duties, but they are not entering classrooms. Others did not go to school at all. Many are simply not working.”
The protest comes amid growing dissatisfaction among PTA teachers who say they have spent years serving in federal schools under poor employment conditions without job security, proper remuneration or official recognition.
Earlier reports had revealed that thousands of PTA teachers working in Unity Colleges earn salaries ranging between ₦30,000 and ₦70,000 monthly despite spending between 10 and 20 years teaching in federal institutions.
The affected teachers accused the Federal Government of repeatedly failing to fulfil promises regarding the regularisation of their appointments despite several verification exercises and engagements with relevant authorities over the years.
According to the aggrieved workers, more than 3,500 PTA part-time staff members are currently affected nationwide.
Many of them lamented that they had devoted the most productive years of their lives to the education sector but still remain classified as temporary staff without pension, career progression or stable working conditions.
One of the teachers had earlier stated, “Many of us have dedicated our productive years to these schools. Some teachers have spent over 10 to 20 years teaching in Federal Unity Colleges, yet we are still treated like temporary staff without stability or proper recognition.”
The teachers also expressed frustration that while their own regularisation remained unresolved, some schools were allegedly recruiting fresh staff and allowing newly employed workers to resume duties.
They described the situation as unfair and demoralising, insisting that experienced teachers who had served faithfully for years should not continue to be neglected while new employees are absorbed into the system.
According to them, repeated meetings, advocacy campaigns and negotiations with government officials have failed to produce meaningful outcomes.
As frustration deepens, the teachers disclosed that plans are underway to intensify their agitation through physical mobilisation activities in Abuja.
One of the affected workers explained that the proposed mobilisation would involve coordinated actions aimed at drawing national attention to their plight and compelling the government to act.
“In addition, plans are currently underway for physical mobilisation activities in Abuja, subject to final logistics and coordination,” the source revealed.
The teachers also appealed to the media, civil society organisations and members of the public to continue highlighting their situation, insisting that public visibility remains critical to achieving justice.
They warned that living conditions for many PTA teachers have become unbearable due to rising inflation and worsening economic hardship in the country.
Another affected teacher lamented that the salaries currently paid to PTA staff can no longer sustain basic living expenses.
“Some teachers earn ₦30,000, others ₦40,000, while only a few receive close to ₦70,000. Meanwhile, prices of food, transportation and rent keep increasing daily,” the teacher said.
The workers argued that despite contributing significantly to the education sector and helping to address teacher shortages in federal schools, they continue to suffer neglect and uncertainty.
Many of them also expressed concern over the psychological and emotional toll of working for years without stability or clear prospects for career advancement.
According to the teachers, the ongoing withdrawal of academic activities may escalate further if urgent intervention is not made by the Federal Government and relevant education authorities.
They maintained that the current action was not intended to disrupt learning indefinitely but to draw attention to what they described as years of injustice and institutional neglect.
The situation has raised concerns among parents and students in affected schools, particularly as academic activities face disruptions in several Unity Colleges across the country.
Observers warn that if the impasse persists, it could significantly affect teaching schedules and academic performance in the affected institutions.
The Federal Government has yet to officially respond to the ongoing withdrawal of services by the PTA teachers as of the time of filing this report.
