The administration of President Bola Tinubu has officially disbursed funds aimed at addressing the outstanding salaries owed to members of the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) in Federal Universities across Nigeria. This decisive action is part of the government's efforts to alleviate the financial distress experienced by university staff due to prolonged salary delays.
According to reports, the released funds are not only designated for the salaries of NASU members but will also encompass benefits for retirees participating in the Nigerian Union of Pensioners Contributory Pension Scheme. This significant development was confirmed on Saturday via a statement issued by Bawa Mokwa, the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, highlighting the government's commitment to addressing these pressing financial obligations.[/p>
The statement emphasized that payments to NASU members have already commenced, with numerous staff members confirming receipt of their overdue salaries, which had been pending for an extended period. The release of these funds marks a critical step towards restoring normalcy within the university system, which had been severely affected by the financial disputes between the government and the non-academic staff.[/p>
The statement read, “The Federal Government has released funds for payment of withheld salary of Non-Academic Staff Union of Federal Universities. This move reflects the government's recognition of the challenges faced by university staff and its commitment to resolving the issues promptly.”[/p>
“According to the OAGF, the Federal Government has also released funds for payment of benefits to retirees under the Nigerian Union of Pensioners Contributory Pension Scheme Sector. This is intended to ensure that those who have served the nation in their professional capacities are not left without support in their retirement years.”[/p>
“The OAGF said payments to the Non-Academic Staff of Federal Universities had commenced, and many have confirmed receipt.” This reassurance from the government is expected to alleviate some of the frustrations expressed by the non-academic staff, who have been vocal about their grievances regarding unpaid wages and inadequate support.[/p>
The OAGF has reiterated the Federal Government’s dedication to the well-being of Nigerian workers and retirees, emphasizing that timely payments and the resolution of outstanding issues are paramount to maintaining trust and morale among educational staff.[/p>
However, tensions remain high, as on Monday, the Joint Action Committee of SSANU and NASU initiated an indefinite strike due to the non-payment of salaries for the past four months. This strike action has led to significant disruptions in university operations nationwide, impacting both students and faculty alike.[/p>
In a previous interview with The PUNCH on Wednesday, Mr. Mohammed Ibrahim, the National President of SSANU, indicated that university officials, including vice-chancellors, bursars, and registrars, have not received their salaries for four months. He expressed the gravity of the situation, emphasizing that the universities would remain entirely closed until the outstanding payments were addressed to ensure fair treatment for all staff members.[/p>
According to reports, the Federal Government had earlier urged the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) to end their strike. This appeal was made by Dr. Yusuf Sununu, the outgoing Minister of State for Education, who led discussions with union leaders on Thursday on behalf of the new Education Minister, Dr. Tunji Alaussa. The government is hopeful that ongoing negotiations will lead to a resolution and the resumption of normal activities within the universities.[/p>
Sununu was reassured that measures were being implemented to resolve the grievances that had led to the strike, indicating a willingness on both sides to engage in constructive dialogue. Public universities across Nigeria have been closed since Monday as NASU and SSANU commenced an indefinite strike over the government’s non-release of four months’ withheld salaries from 2022, raising concerns about the academic future of students caught in the crossfire of these financial disputes.