Lecturers at the Federal College of Education (FCE), Eha-Amufu, have threatened to embark on an industrial action within seven days if the institution’s management fails to address lingering issues relating to salaries, allowances, and staff promotions.
The Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) issued the ultimatum on May 21, 2026, warning that unresolved welfare concerns had severely affected staff morale and were threatening industrial harmony within the institution.
In a notice signed by the Chapter Chairman, Comr. Chidi N. Agbo, and the Secretary, Comr. Nwachukwu S. Amadi, the union accused the management of deliberately ignoring longstanding demands raised by academic staff.
“Congress noted that very pressing demands of the Union have been deliberately ignored, thereby worsening the working conditions of our members and threatening the industrial harmony of the institution,” the notice stated.
Central to the dispute are six demands by the union, with unpaid salaries and staff entitlements featuring prominently. COEASU said lecturers are owed six years’ worth of promotion arrears spanning 2020 to 2025, despite affected staff members having completed the required promotion assessments.
“These arrears are entitlements, not privileges, and any delay in payment amounts to a violation of contractual obligations and a direct attack on staff welfare,” the union stated.
The union further alleged that some employees had gone unpaid for a cumulative period of eight months since 2019, a situation it said had imposed significant financial strain on workers and their families.
“This situation has caused significant financial hardship, diminished staff morale, and raises serious ethical and legal concerns. The non-payment of salaries contravenes the Nigerian Labour Act, which mandates prompt and full remuneration for services rendered,” COEASU stated.
The academic staff union is also demanding the immediate payment of the Peculiar Earned Academic Allowance, which it said has remained unpaid for 10 consecutive months.
According to the union, the prolonged delay in settling the allowance has continued to undermine staff motivation and the effective functioning of the college’s academic system.
“The prolonged and unacceptable delay is a matter that bears directly on staff morale, institutional integrity, and the overall functionality of the College’s academic system,” the union added.
