Ramadan Palliative Rejection: Amnesty International Condemns Suspension of Kebbi Teacher

Amnesty International has called on the Kebbi State Government to immediately withdraw the three-month suspension imposed on a teacher, Abduljalal Usman, by the Dandi Local Government Area Primary Education Authority.

According to the rights organisation, the suspension followed Usman’s public criticism of what he described as an inadequate “palliative” provided to teachers, a portion of rice and a sachet of cooking oil. In a statement, Amnesty International described the punishment as arbitrary and urged authorities to reverse the decision.

The suspension letter issued to Usman reportedly states that his salary will not be paid during the next three months, a move Amnesty International criticised as punitive and unjust.

The organisation said that expressing dissatisfaction with the palliative does not constitute a crime and falls within the teacher’s right to freedom of expression. It noted that this right is guaranteed under Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution (as amended) as well as international human rights law.

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Amnesty International also highlighted the broader challenges facing teachers across Nigeria, pointing out that many educators are poorly paid and often receive their salaries irregularly. The group said that years of neglect and poor conditions of service have left many teachers living in poverty.

“Teachers across Nigeria are already struggling due to low wages and delayed salaries. Punishing a teacher for expressing frustration over a token palliative only deepens the problem,” the organisation said.

The rights group urged the Kebbi State Government to engage with criticism constructively rather than using disciplinary measures to silence dissent.