A last-minute protest at the Cross River State Teachers Continuous Training Institute (TCTI) Biase, was successfully averted on monday, as representatives from the Cross River State government and the Management of the TCTI reached a peaceful resolution with staff members and union leaders.
The agreement, which saw all parties reaching a truce, brought a resounding calm to the institute, effectively halting an imminent protest that was ready to happen on Wednesday.
The deal, which was earlier reached at the Institute’s premises on Monday afternoon, includes the payment of minimum wage to staff effective with their July 2025 salaries and issuance of promotion letters within the next week. This resolution brings an end to the imminent industrial action, addressing two key grievances.
The process to avert the protest was further intervened on Tuesday by the state Commissioner for Education, Associate Professor Steven Odey who assured the Institute’s staff that the state government was working on making additional funds available to the Institute for the fulfilment of its core mandate of teacher training.
During the negotiation roundtable, Cross River State Commissioner for Education, commended TCTI leadership and Union executives for resolving the matter amicably. He urged staff to consider the Institute’s relatively recent establishment of less than four years, encouraging them to exercise patience and exhaust all avenues of negotiations. He acknowledged that challenges are being addressed as the Institute develops.
Responding to questions after the meeting, Director-General of the TCTI, Professor Taoheed Adedoja, stated that the joint meeting was crucial to restoring normalcy.
According to Professor Adedoja, “I am pleased to announce that I have just come out from a meeting chaired by the Commissioner for Education, which included management staff and union leaders. The Commissioner’s intervention should be commended.
Given Governor Bassey Otu’s consistent disposition towards the welfare of workers in the state, I am confident that our staff will receive their due wages at the end of the month.
“This healing process began yesterday and I am very happy with the quality of leadership the Commissioner has exhibited. The staff are pleased with this development and they now understand why a strike is unnecessary at this moment. I want to especially thank the Commissioner and his team”, Adedoja stated.
Following the session, Mr. Egwu Inamagh Ukam, Chairman of the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) for Educational and Professional Institution, TCTI branch, expressed commendation to our correspondents regarding the handling of the issue. “We are pleased with the results of this joint meeting. Both parties have reached a satisfactory resolution; our primary concerns have ultimately been addressed.
Continuing, Ukam said: “Agreement has been reached on the implementation of the minimum wage and the Commissioner for Education has additionally committed to strengthening teacher training within the state, aligning with the foundational mandate of this institution.
“I wish to convey my appreciation to the Commissioner and Director-General for their decisive actions. I have strong confidence in their capabilities. Furthermore, all workers have collectively resolved to collaborate effectively and contribute optimally,” he added.
Key stakeholders at the meeting included the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Deputy Director-General, Registrar, Bursar and the NASU TCTI Biase executive members, who contributed to the peace-brokering process.
