The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) might soon embark on another industrial action, following the decision of the Federal Government to pay the lecturers half salaries for the month of October 2022,
While the University of Jos has already declared industrial action, a meeting of National ASUU is billed for tomorrow, Monday, November 7, baring unforeseen circumstances, where a review of the situationwhich can lead to “critical decisions” will be done.
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It was reported that the government only paid lecturers for 18 working days in the month of October.
Recall that on Friday, October 16, 2022, ASUU suspended its eight-month-old strike which had shut down public universities in the country to demand full implementation of agreements it had entered into with the Federal Government a few years ago.
While the strike lingered, the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu Adamu, claimed that the government had resolved most of the demands of ASUU. Among the demands addressed, according to the Minister, was the release of N50 billion for the payment of earned allowances for universities’ academic and non-academic and non-academic staff.
However, ASUU refused to return to work following the government’s insistence not to pay the union’s arrears for the strike period.
The Federal Government then dragged the union to the National Industrial Court, asking the court to order the lecturer back to class. The National Industrial Court and subsequently the Court of Appeal ruled that the lecturers must return to the classroom as negotiations continue.
Speaking with newsmen, a senior member of the National Executive Council, said, “We were only paid for the days after the strike. I received a half salary. Other members are angry right now, they are blaming the NEC for calling off the strike.”
Another member, who confirmed the development, said, “Yes, it is true, I received half salary. It seems the government is set to kill unionism in the country but we are ready for them.”
ASUU National President, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, confirmed the development.
“Half salaries were paid, no reasons were given whatsoever. We learnt that Ngige wrote the office of the Accountant General and Integrated Payroll and Personnel information system and told them to only pay us for the period when we called off the strike.
“We heard there was a letter to that effect but we haven’t gotten it yet. We are going to summon a meeting.”
Though the FG is yet to break the silence on the reason for making the half payment, but it was gathered that the decision was taken based on the fact that the lecturers resumed back to work in the middle of October.
When contacted, the Ministry of Education which serves as the supervisory ministry for universities, the spokesperson of the ministry said, “We don’t pay salary at the Ministry of Education. Kindly direct your question to the office of the Accountant General.”
