ASUU bemoans delay in releasing 8-month salaries, other issues

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has raised concerns regarding the prolonged withholding of university academics’ salaries for nearly eight months due to the fallout from the 2022 strike action. The President of ASUU, Emmanuel Osodeke, highlighted this issue in a statement. The matter was discussed during the union’s National Executive Council meeting held at the University of Maiduguri, Borno State, from August 19th to August 20th, 2023. Osodeke noted that this challenge is just one among several plaguing the Nigerian University System (NUS), as deliberated during the meeting. He emphasized that the application of the ‘No-Work-No-Pay’ policy to academics fails to consider that only the teaching aspect of their work was suspended during the strike action. Moreover, he highlighted the diligent efforts made by academics to make up for lost time under extremely challenging economic conditions, following the suspension of the strike through interventions by key figures including Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, who is now Chief of Staff to the President and Visitor to Federal Universities. The statement acknowledged the resilience of Nigerian academics, commending their unwavering determination and courage in enduring economic, social, and emotional hardships due to the non-payment of their salaries. ASUU attributed past strike actions to successive governments’ failure to honour agreements and memoranda established through the collective bargaining principle endorsed by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and adopted in Nigeria’s labour laws. ASUU called upon the government led by President Bola Tinubu to expedite the renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU/FGN Agreement based on the recommendations of the Professor Nimi Briggs Committee. This move is essential to restore the credibility of the NUS. The union recognized ongoing efforts to secure the release of the withheld salaries and urged national leadership, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), to actively pursue this matter. ASUU underlined the significance of releasing the withheld salaries in boosting the morale of Nigerian university educators. The statement also lamented the accumulation of promotion arrears owed to members due to disruptions stemming from the enrollment of academics in the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS). Despite numerous attempts by the union and university administrations, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) has yet to address this issue. Consequently, ASUU appealed to the OAGF to promptly resolve the backlog of promotion arrears, considering the impact on industrial harmony and peace. The union’s concerns highlight the challenges faced by academics in Nigeria and the urgent need for comprehensive resolutions to safeguard their welfare and the integrity of the education system. The statement further read, “NEC was disturbed by reports of massive employment racketeering perpetuated by operators of the discredited IPPIS, including scandalous revelations at the recent sittings of House of Representatives Probe Panel on IPPIS. “NEC observed that the unsavoury trend has eroded university employment tradition in violation of the provisions of the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2003, and Guidelines for Appointments and Promotions of individual universities. ASUU rejects all illegal appointments sponsored by the IPPIS and its agents in Nigerian public universities. “NEC observed with dismay the Government’s moves to further erode the autonomy of universities as contained in the Universities Miscellaneous Provisions Act in respect of the dissolution of Councils. ASUU had cause to protest to the immediate past Federal administration over the same matter in 2015, and the decision was accordingly reversed. “Dissolution of Governing Councils of federal and state universities before they serve their full terms does not only violate extant laws on university autonomy, but it also adversely impacts operations of the universities. NEC therefore calls for the reversal of the recent dissolution of councils of federal universities to ensure their smooth operations and stability. “NEC reviewed the strenuous efforts of the National Universities Commission (NUC) to impose the Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standard (CCMAS) on Nigerian universities, despite well-founded criticisms and rejection by members of university senates and academic associations. NEC subsequently directed the leadership of ASUU to pursue the Union’s rejection of CCMAS to its logical conclusion. “Painfully, NEC reviewed reports of mass exit of experienced academics and professionals from Nigeria’s public universities owing to disabling working and living conditions. NEC submits that a salary regime that places the professor- at-bar on four hundred and sixteen thousand Naira (N416,000.00) or less (no thanks to amputation by IPPIS) for more than ten years is disconcerting, debilitating and dehumanizing for scholars. “NEC, therefore, advises governments at the federal and state levels to urgently arrest the growing ‘Japa’ syndrome on university campuses to reposition Nigerian universities for competitiveness in the global knowledge economy. “NEC noted with dismay the continued onslaughts on ASUU members at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof (Mrs.) Nnenna N. Oti, and her agents over the questionable appointment of Dr. Isa Ibrahim Ali Pantami as a Professor at the University. “NEC reaffirms its earlier position that the promotion of Dr. Isa Ibrahim Ali Pantami as a Professor in FUTO while serving as a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was a breach of the University’s Appointments and Promotions Guidelines. “NEC further reaffirms its recognition of the ASUU-FUTO Executive Committee (EXCO) led by Comrade Chinedu Ihejirika, currently being subjected to unwarranted attack and persecution in the University. NEC subsequently resolves that ASUU would hold the FUTO Vice-Chancellor, Prof. (Mrs.) Nnenna Oti, liable should any harm come the way of Comrade Ihejirika and other committed members of our Union in FUTO as well as those of their respective families. “NEC was grieved by the deepening crisis of governance occasioned by the mindless acceptance and crude implementation of neo-liberal socio-economic policies of the international money lenders by successive governments since the birth of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic. NEC sadly noted the recent anti-people, draconian policies of the government that have brought millions of Nigerians to their knees and crippled businesses. “We note that the expectation of democratic dividends which heralded civilian rule in 1999 has almost evaporated, as more Nigerians are daily gasping for breath under the suffocating grips of

Tinubu, subsidy, NLC and Nigeria’s economic turbulence

On May 29, 2023, during his inaugural speech, President Ahmed Bola Tinubu made a momentous decision to scrap Nigeria’s fuel subsidies, citing pressing budgetary concerns. However, this move triggered a staggering surge in fuel prices, widespread panic-buying of fuel, and a sharp increase in the cost of various essential commodities. The ramifications of the fuel subsidy removal have struck fear in the hearts of millions of Nigerians, particularly low-income earners who worry about their ability to afford transportation, education, food, and healthcare and other social amenities. In response to the government’s decision, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), entrusted with the responsibility to protect and defend workers’ rights and well-being, vehemently opposed the move. Joe Ajaero, the NLC President, criticized Tinubu’s decision, asserting that it lacked careful consideration and predicted it would cause the country’s economy to regress by more than 50 percent within the coming weeks. In light of their objections, the Congress issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, demanding the reversal of all “anti-poor” policies, including the petrol price hike. The NLC accused the government of showing disdain and contempt for the Nigerian people and declared a war of attrition on workers and the masses. Citing the strength of Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, the NLC announced on June 7 their intention to launch a nationwide protest on August 2, 2023, against the fuel subsidy removal. In response, the Federal Government took legal action, seeking to stop the union from proceeding with the proposed strike. The government argued that such industrial action could severely impact society and the nation’s overall well-being. In a ruling on an ex parte application, Justice O.Y Anuwe ordered the unions not to embark on any industrial action or strike pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice, dated June 5, 2023. The court highlighted the potential disruptions to economic activities and essential sectors. Unfazed by the court’s injunctions, lengthy negotiation meetings, and warnings from the Federal Ministry of Justice regarding contempt of court, the NLC stood firm on their threat and flooded the streets with protesters on August 2. The demonstrations aimed to voice opposition against the recent fuel price hike, tuition fees increase in public schools, and the withholding of salaries for university lecturers and workers. Meanwhile, the government, through the Solicitor General of the Ministry of Justice, accused the NLC leaders of treating the order of the National Industrial Court (NIC) with contempt. Justice Beatrice Jedy-Agba asserted twice that the organized labour’s industrial action was illegal, as there was a subsisting interim order restraining the NLC from engaging in any industrial action. The government prayed the court to hold NLC President Joe Ajaero, Deputy Presidents Audu Aruba, Prince Adeyanju Adewale, and Kabiru Sani, General Secretary Emmanuel Ugboaja, TUC President Engr Festus Usifo, and Scribe/Chief Executive Nuhu Toro in contempt of court and commit them to prison. In response, the NLC condemned the industrial court and the Justice Ministry as “anti-democracy” agents, and they demanded the withdrawal of the lawsuit or face mass strike. Following discussions at the NLC’s NEC meeting in Abuja, the union issued a stern ultimatum, warning that failure to comply with their demand could result in a nationwide strike on August 14, 2023. This ongoing saga showcases the deep-seated tensions and concerns about the impact of the fuel subsidy removal on the lives of Nigerian citizens and the overall health of the nation’s economy. As both sides engage in a legal battle and the NLC continues its protests, the future remains uncertain, and the fate of Nigeria’s fuel subsidy hangs in the balance, even as ordinary Nigerians continue to bear the brunt.