There are compelling signs that the federal government’s purported plan to renegotiate with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) without include the other three university-based unions could cause disruptions to the academic calendar.
The National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) are the three unions.
According to trustworthy sources, the Federal Government has set up a meeting with ASUU on August 28 in order to present a revised agreement with the Union and to fulfill the union’s deadline.
The last time the federal government and university-based unions negotiated agreements on worker welfare was in 2009, and it has long been past time for a revision.
For the sake of argument, these concerns consist of: Renegotiating the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement, long-term financing for our universities, revitalization of academic institutions, Our coworkers at LASU, KSU (now Prince Abubakar Audu University), and FUTON were victimized. Unpaid pay arrears of 25–35% and promotion arrearages for more than 4 years
In order to satisfy the deadline set by ASUU, it was learned that the treaty required the government to arrange a meeting with the university’s teaching staff on Thursday, August 28.
It was also learned that the government has not spoken to the non-teaching personnel, which has led to tension, resentment, and hostility within the university.
On several times, the four unions demanded that the government complete the renegotiation team led by Yahaye Ahmed. They even threatened to go on strike independently if the government did not take the necessary action.
Furthermore, on August 21, ASUU vowed to go on strike if the government did not positively respond to their demands and warned of the dire implications of ignoring them.
Following several unsuccessful appeals, the Union threatened the government with a deadline of August 28 in a statement signed by its president, Christopher Piwuna.
“ASUU-NEC appreciates the patience and forbearance of our membership since the last referendum,” the statement said in part. However, the government cannot sustain the Union’s conversation indefinitely. The public is encouraged to be aware that ASUU has attempted a number of approaches and tactics to settle the dispute in the field of education.
The public should also be aware that ASUU has written the FGM multiple letters highlighting the importance of finding a peaceful solution to the problem. Unfortunately, the FGM has consistently ignored our requests.
It is evident that ASUU may have no choice but to take action in order to pressure the FGN to pay attention to our requests and take the necessary measures. As usual, the FGN has continuously pushed our Union to go on strike.
Keep in mind that the animosity created by the methodology for allocating the ₦50 billion in earned allowances—of which the teaching staff received 80% and the three non-teaching unions 20%—to the four university-based unions has not yet been resolved.
Comrade Mohammed Haruna Ibrahim, President of SSANU and Chairman of the Joint Action Committee (JAC), which consists of SSANU and NASU, is furious about the development and has cautioned the government against attempting to implement any kind of salary template discrepancy that might endanger the relative harmony in the academic setting.
According to Comeade Ibrahim, university employees receive a standard wage formula, but teaching and non-teaching staff are given varying allowances.
Ibrahim stated that the sector would not be well served by the Federal Government’s purported plan to announce a renegotiated agreement with ASUU that excludes the other unions.
“If it is true, it is similar to the other 80/20 case,” he added, referring to the arrangement wherein the Federal Government granted ASUU 80 percent of the ₦50 billion in Earned Allowances released to university-based unions, while the other three unions received 20 percent. The Minister simply took over their position and gave them something to placate them, and he has been boasting that ASUU cannot go on strike again. The government has not met with us or even the Yahale Ahmed team.
“We have consistently worked to eliminate inequalities, maintained a uniform university system, and had the same pay scale for professors and directors. Because they are comparable, a professor’s salary is the same as that of a Level 16 student at the institution.
“A graduate assistant and an administrative assistant make the same amount of money. The current strategy is to divide the table, create a quantum increase for the teaching staff, and then distribute a meager sum—possibly a 10 percent increment—while ASUU’s will be roughly 100 percent.
“Those close to the minister have advised him against thinking about it, but he is not scared of us again because he has his own problem with the ASUU.
“SSANU cautions the government against making any disparities.” Any attempt to create pay disparities won’t bring about systemic peace. Allowances set us apart, even if our salaries remain the same as they have. Both teaching staff and non-teaching workers are eligible for teaching allowances. No non-teaching staff member may go and ask the teaching personnel for an allowance.
