As Nigerian Muslims join their counterparts across the world to observe this year’s Eid-el-Kabir festival, members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the Congress of University Academics (CONUA), and university staff are lamenting their unpaid salaries.
The institution’s branch of ASUU, which has been on strike for 41 days, has vowed not to suspend its action, stating that the nonpayment of salaries intended to break their ranks has only strengthened their resolve.
Members of CONUA, who have continued working despite the ASUU strike, are also affected by the nonpayment of salaries.
ASUU chairperson Sylvanus Ugoh, in a communication titled “Day 41 Strike Update,” urged branches to mobilize in the coming weeks. Ugoh accused the university administration of instructing the Accountant General of the Federation to illegally stop ASUU members’ salaries to deter them from their legitimate struggle. He stated that “all the authorities concerned are aware of this illegality.”
His message to ASUU members read: “Fellow comrades, I bring you greetings from the National Executive Council (NEC) of our Union, which held its meeting on 7th and 8th June 2024, at the National Secretariat, Abuja. NEC commended your tenacity, resoluteness, and doggedness in the ongoing struggle, even in the face of extreme hostilities and harsh conditions.
“The major focus of the NEC includes the state of the national struggle, the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement, the backlog of EAA, and all outstanding salaries. Branches are directed to mobilize themselves in the weeks ahead. For us in Uniabuja, we have never lagged in any action. We are standing gallant and mobilized.
“The University Administration wrote to the Accountant General’s Office to illegally stop our salaries to deter us from our legitimate struggle. All the authorities concerned are aware of this illegality. Despite these harsh conditions and no salaries, our congress will meet in the coming days. We know the hardship our members face due to the denial of their legitimate salaries, especially with Eid-el-Kabir fast approaching. The issues leading to the ongoing strike remain unresolved, and conditions are worsening.”
Ugoh assured members, “We will overcome and prevail by the grace of God. Remain resolute and focused. Victory is sure! A united people cannot be defeated. God bless you.”
In response, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah, denied that any staff were owed salaries. His statement read: “The university management approved payment of salaries to all academic staff, including those on strike who, under the ‘No Work, No Pay’ policy of the Nigerian government, deserved no salary.
“Management contacted IPPIS this morning to investigate the delay in salary payments. The information suggests it might be a glitch in Remita. However, management is surprised that the ASUU branch leadership, which abandoned their students for over a month, are the first to cry wolf and attempt to blackmail the university.
“It is unfortunate and painful that academic staff are subjected to this suffering, especially those who work tirelessly for their students. IPPIS has confirmed that the May 2024 academic salary has been released for payment, and the continued delay is likely from Remita, not management.”
