NASU Appeals to Federal Government for Release of Withheld Salaries
The leadership of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) has appealed to the Federal Government of Nigeria to release the withheld salaries of its members.
During a two-day National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja, Dr. Makolo Hassan, the president of Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions addressed the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, urging immediate action to prevent potential industrial unrest in educational institutions.
Despite directives from President Bola Tinubu regarding the payment of at least 50 percent of the unpaid salaries, NASU members in universities and inter-university centres have yet to receive their dues. Furthermore, he emphasized the urgency of implementing the president’s directive to avert further crises in the education sector.
The union has been engaged in ongoing discussions with the government, yet tangible resolutions have been slow to materialize. Failure to address the issue of unpaid salaries may lead to an escalation of industrial action, which would significantly disrupt educational operations. Beyond immediate salary concerns, Hassan called for attention to broader issues related to the welfare of non-teaching staff and the need for reforms outlined in previous agreements with the government.
The NASU president highlighted specific demands, such as the implementation of policies extending the retirement age for non-academic staff to 65 years and a total of 40 years of service. He also stressed the importance of constituting boards for national research institutions, which he believes would enhance productivity and innovation. Additionally, he urged the government to establish boards for teaching and specialist hospitals to improve governance and healthcare services.
In response to NASU’s concerns, the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building a robust education system for future generations. While he did not specifically address the issue of unpaid salaries, he emphasized the importance of productivity in the face of economic challenges and encouraged stakeholders to embrace technology to enhance efficiency. The critical role of non-academic staff was underscored by the Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Professor Aisha Maikudi, who recognized their essential contributions to the functioning of educational institutions and the overall success of Nigeria’s education sector.
