UFOMBA UZUEGBU
The Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) has expressed worry over Federal Government’s alleged selective implementation of agreements and payment delays in the tertiary education sector.
The Union warned that any bias in disbursing the promised N50b Earned Allowance could trigger a new wave of industrial unrest.
Speaking at a two-day Universities & Inter-University Centres Trade Group Council Meeting organised by NASU, the General Secretary of NASU, Prince Peter Adeyemi, said the earned allowance had been a problematic issue over time.
Adeyemo said: “They have tried to divide the ranks of the unions, particularly in the universities. So, when the earned allowance is released, they will put the non-teaching staff on one side, and put the academics on the other side.
“And when they want to share the money, they will give 20 per cent to the three non-teaching staff unions and give 70 per cent to the academics. We protested over this.
” Infact, this was part of the reasons why we embarked on that long strike in 2022. And as of August 2022, while the strike had lasted for about four months, we were invited to a meeting, chaired by the former Minister of Education, Minister Adamu, Adamu, with his team. And there was an agreement that was signed.
“In that agreement, the government committed itself to releasing N50b for the payment of earned allowances for both the academics and the non-teaching staff. That was one of the promised incentives that made us to suspend that strike.
“The government has not fulfilled that commitment. But suddenly, just about two or three days ago, we saw a circular letter written to one of the unions. That a meeting of stakeholders was held. Stakeholders of the university held with one union, (ASUU, leaving three unions out.
“How will that be a stakeholder meeting? Because if you only meet with one out of four, that cannot be a stakeholder’s meeting.
“Since we were not part of the stakeholders meeting, we have a strong feeling that they want to pay that N50b to just one union.
“And we like to use this opportunity of this important meeting to call on Mr. President through the Minister of Education.
“That pays the N50b to the academic union and ignores other unions, it will plunge the universities into an industrial crisis. Government is a continuum—agreements signed in 2022 remain binding till today.
“We appeal very strongly because we are conscious of the fact that this President is anxious to sustain industrial peace in the university system and we commend him that so far, he has done everything possible that the academics have not gone on strike.
“But I think in their desperation not to allow for one union to go on strike, they will not create a situation the way they created the payment of four months’ salaries to ASUU and refusing to pay two months to us (NASU). Government by its own action or inaction. will set the university on an industrial crisis.
He urged President Tinubu and the Minister of Education to act swiftly to preserve industrial harmony in the nation’s tertiary institutions.
“This is a great opportunity for us to appeal to the Minister of Education, whom we have a lot of respect for and Mr. President, that any attempt to share that M50 billion to the academics only , will set the university on parallel industrial crisis”.
Adeyemi said the union supported the transition from the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System to the Government Integrated Financial Management System (GIFMIS) on the condition that all benefits and liabilities would be migrated.
“Unfortunately, IPPIS has failed to take on both the assets and liabilities. This is a major problem for us,” he stated.
Adeyemi also condemned the alleged illegal stoppage of check-off dues in some institutions, citing the Federal Polytechnic, Ekowe, as a case in point“.No Rector, Vice-chancellor, or Provost has the power to stop union dues. It is a statutory right under Nigerian labour laws,” Adeyemi declared.
Also speaking, NASU’s President, Dr Hassan Makolo, strongly criticised the Federal Government over unpaid arrears, faulty implementation of the IPPIS, and delays in renegotiating the 2009 agreement.
Makolo decried the continued non-payment of third-party deductions, promotions, and union dues, calling it a betrayal of trust.
Makolo raised concerns about possible sabotage, warning against punishing unions for opposing IPPIS, and vowed resistance if necessary.
He also decried NASU’s exclusion from recent stakeholder meetings on earned allowances, questioning the legitimacy of those involved.
On the stalled 2009 agreement renegotiation, he expressed frustration at the lack of progress since December 2024.
“Enough is enough,” he warned, urging the government to act with sincerity and urgency.
On his part, the Lagos State Chairman of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, Timothy Olawore, lamented the persistent challenges plaguing Nigeria’s education sector.
Olawore cited inadequate funding, poor infrastructure, and brain drain as major setbacks.
“These challenges not only affect the quality of education but also the well-being of our members,” he said. Despite the odds, he reaffirmed NASU’s commitment to advancing members’ interests and the sector’s growth.
He called on participants to “share experiences and provide lasting solutions to reposition this vital sector”, he added.
The Trade Group Council Chairman and Deputy President of NASU, Buhari Suleiman, raised an alarm over the deteriorating state of Nigeria, highlighting crises in education, security, power, and the economy.
He described the government’s 9.2 per cent education budget in 2025 as woefully inadequate, calling it a “clear disregard for global standards”.
Suleiman decried Nigeria’s slide to 6th on the Global Terrorism Index, labelling it a “shameful failure of leadership and strategy”.
He condemned alleged deep-rooted corruption and rising youth unemployment, warning that “no nation develops when its future, the youth, is abandoned.”
He also described the power crisis as a national embarrassment, demanding urgent reforms and leadership works for the people, not themselves.
For a better society
Follow us across our platforms:
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/championnewsonline/
Facebook – https://web.facebook.com/championnewsonline
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/champion-newspapers-limited/
https://x.com/championnewsng/
You can also like and comment on our YouTube videos.
https://youtu.be/QIBfD1tT80w?si=R4Qf3so2LxYu3GC2
