By Sandra Kenneth
Public school teachers across Rivers State are demanding the immediate resignation of the State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Comrade Donatus Samuel, over plans to enforce a monthly salary deduction for a union welfare program.
In a petition signed by over 50 teachers on behalf of their aggrieved colleagues, the workers voiced strong opposition to a proposed ₦2,000 monthly deduction meant for the “Endwell Cooperative Scheme.”
The teachers expressed deep frustration that the financial deduction was being introduced without individual prior consultation, clear disclosure, or their explicit consent.
While acknowledging the traditional role of the NUT in advocating for teachers’ welfare, the group insisted that any salary deduction must be voluntary, transparent, and built on informed consent.
Consequently, the petitioners are demanding:
Immediate Suspension: An abrupt halt to any planned or ongoing ₦2,000 monthly deductions for teachers who have not personally opted into the scheme.
Full Disclosure: Complete transparency from the NUT leadership regarding the terms, management structure, financial obligations, and long-term benefits of the Endwell Cooperative Scheme.
Voluntary Enrollment: A guarantee that participation will remain strictly optional, allowing individual teachers to freely choose whether or not to enroll.
“No teacher should be automatically enrolled or financially committed to any scheme without clear information and individual written consent,” the group asserted, urging union executives to respect worker autonomy and restore trust within the union.
