Efforts are being made by the House of Representatives to prevent the impending strike by the Non-Academic Staff of Universities (NASU) by intervening in the ongoing dispute between the Federal Government and the workers.
During a meeting with officials from the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) in Abuja on Thursday, Representative Abubakar Fulata, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on University Education, initiated steps to address the situation.
Also present at the meeting were representatives from the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) and other key stakeholders.
Speaking on behalf of NASU, SSANU President Mohammed Ibrahim explained that the unions had recently carried out a week-long warning strike due to the non-payment of their salaries withheld in 2022.
Despite a directive from President Bola Tinubu for the payment of four months’ worth of withheld salary relating to the 2022 industrial action, Ibrahim noted that the Ministry of Education and the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation had not complied with the directive.
He warned that unless the government meets their demands, the unions are prepared to commence an indefinite strike very soon.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the preferential treatment received by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in terms of salary payments, Ibrahim questioned the rationale behind the government’s actions.
Similarly, NAAT President Mr. Ibeji Nwokema highlighted the government’s failure to fully adhere to agreements reached with the unions in 2009 and 2017.
Nwokema mentioned that following the conclusion of the 7-day warning strike that began on March 20, NAAT officials have agreed to initiate an indefinite strike in April.
However, Representative Fulata urged the unions to allow the committee and the House of Representatives sufficient time to engage with relevant authorities regarding these matters.
Fulata assured that the House would reconvene on April 16 and take decisive action on the issues raised, emphasizing the importance of postponing any strike notices in the interim.