A potential crisis that may disrupt academic activities in Nigerian universities is brewing as the federal government’s decision to pay the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) four months of withheld salaries excludes other university-based unions.
The Joint Action Committee (JAC) comprising the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) has raised concerns over the government’s exclusionary approach.
In a leaked memo dated February 13, 2024, addressed to the chief of staff to the president, Femi Gbajiabiamila, SSANU and NASU warned of potential disruptions to the academic calendar if their members continue to be neglected.
The memo, signed by Prince Peters Adeyemi, General Secretary of NASU, and Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, President of SSANU, highlighted the injustice faced by non-teaching staff members.
It also criticised the government’s directive to release four months’ salaries exclusively to ASUU members, while neglecting the rights of other unions such as SSANU, NASU, and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT).
The letter referenced past strikes initiated by NASU and SSANU to address issues of corporate governance and member welfare, which resulted in prolonged negotiations with the government. Despite assurances from government officials, including the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity and the Minister of Education, promises of equal treatment for all university unions have not been fulfilled.
The memo emphasised that the peaceful atmosphere in universities and inter-university centers could not be guaranteed if the government continued to favor academic staff over non-teaching staff.
NASU and SSANU leaders distanced themselves from any potential disruptions to the academic calendar, placing the responsibility squarely on the government to address the outstanding salary issues promptly and equitably.
The protest letter read, “We write to draw the attention of the Chief of Staff to the President to the privileged information at our disposal that directive has been given to the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation to direct the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (IPPIS) Office to release four (4) months salaries out of the outstanding salaries owed the members of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) excluding other staff who belong to other Unions in the Universities and Inter-University Centres.
“These other Unions are: Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT).Trouble Looms In Varsities As FG Excludes Non-academic Staff In Payment Of Withheld Salaries
A potential crisis that may disrupt academic activities in Nigerian universities is brewing as the federal government’s decision to pay the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) four months of withheld salaries excludes other university-based unions.
The Joint Action Committee (JAC) comprising the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) has raised concerns over the government’s exclusionary approach.
In a leaked memo dated February 13, 2024, addressed to the chief of staff to the president, Femi Gbajiabiamila, SSANU and NASU warned of potential disruptions to the academic calendar if their members continue to be neglected.
The memo, signed by Prince Peters Adeyemi, General Secretary of NASU, and Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, President of SSANU, highlighted the injustice faced by non-teaching staff members.
It also criticised the government’s directive to release four months’ salaries exclusively to ASUU members, while neglecting the rights of other unions such as SSANU, NASU, and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT).
The letter referenced past strikes initiated by NASU and SSANU to address issues of corporate governance and member welfare, which resulted in prolonged negotiations with the government. Despite assurances from government officials, including the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity and the Minister of Education, promises of equal treatment for all university unions have not been fulfilled.
The memo emphasised that the peaceful atmosphere in universities and inter-university centers could not be guaranteed if the government continued to favor academic staff over non-teaching staff.
NASU and SSANU leaders distanced themselves from any potential disruptions to the academic calendar, placing the responsibility squarely on the government to address the outstanding salary issues promptly and equitably.
The protest letter read, “We write to draw the attention of the Chief of Staff to the President to the privileged information at our disposal that directive has been given to the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation to direct the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (IPPIS) Office to release four (4) months salaries out of the outstanding salaries owed the members of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) excluding other staff who belong to other Unions in the Universities and Inter-University Centres.
“These other Unions are: Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT).