The Delta State wing of the Nigeria Union of Teachers has praised Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for ending a long-standing promotion bottleneck that prevented university-trained primary school teachers from advancing to Level 17.
The commendation was given during a meeting at the Teachers’ House in Asaba.
Speaking at the event, the union’s chairman, Dickson Poubeni, described the decision as a long-overdue breakthrough one that had repeatedly featured in the union’s demands during negotiations and public discussions. He noted that the reform has helped restore the dignity of primary school teachers who, for years, were at a disadvantage compared to their counterparts in secondary schools.
He expressed appreciation to the governor for what he called a bold and impactful move, pledging the union’s continued support and commitment to strengthening the teaching profession. According to him, the decision has boosted morale across the sector.
Poubeni also commended key education stakeholders for their roles in making the reform possible, including Samuel Mariere, Kingsley Ashibogwu, and Roseline Amioku.
However, he stressed the need to focus on proper implementation, calling for the release of a white paper and ratification by the Joint Administrative Council (JAC) to ensure clarity and proper documentation.
He also raised concerns about irregularities in the primary school payroll system, noting that some teachers reportedly receive salaries without consistent documentation or structure. In addition, he warned about emerging challenges in the promotion process for post-primary teachers, claiming that Application for Promotion Assessment (APA) forms are not being collected in some cases.
Poubeni cautioned that such issues could disrupt established procedures and create unnecessary tension if not addressed quickly. He urged the government to ensure that promotion processes remain consistent and transparent.
Also speaking, the union’s state secretary, Dan Basime, said the reform has eliminated a long-standing imbalance that had affected graduate primary school teachers. He noted that previous efforts by past administrations only made partial improvements, but failed to fully resolve the issue until now.
Basime added that the development has renewed teachers’ confidence in the system and reduced the likelihood of industrial action. He described the move as a turning point in government teacher relations, with the union now pledging full cooperation with ongoing reforms.
