Staff of the Ebonyi State College of Education are currently receiving the ₦30,000 minimum wage instead of the operational ₦70,000. This disparity was highlighted by the Chairman of the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union, Dr Nnachi Ama, who lamented that the institution operates with 87% of the 2010 salary structure while other colleges have transitioned to the 2024 structure.
The union leader revealed that poor service conditions have led to severe hardship. He disclosed that eight members died in 2025 from treatable ailments due to lack of funds, while seven others are critically ill.
"Our staff die in their numbers because of the harsh economic conditions we have found ourselves in. For emphasis's sake, just in 2025, we buried eight members of the college staff who died of treatable ailments. They could not gain medical attention due to a lack of funds," Ama stated.
He added that the union is also concerned about the non payment of terminal benefits. "Congress felt so concerned that college staff who are entitled to pension and gratuity do not enjoy such and go home without any terminal benefits on retirement," he noted.
Following the expiration of a previous 14 day ultimatum without a response, the union has issued a fresh seven day warning strike notice. A statement jointly signed by Dr Ama and the Secretary, Dr Augustine Igwe, expressed disappointment that the earlier deadline expired on March 13 without yielding desired results.
The leadership accused the college management of failing to engage the state governor, alleging that management staff enjoy full salaries. The union demanded immediate payment of full salaries under the 2024 CONPASS structure and urgent engagement with the governor to resolve pension issues.
"It is imperative to state that failure to implement the above will leave us with no other option than to embark on a strike," the statement declared.
