To Avert Varsities Shutdown, FG Releases Funds for Payment of NASU Salaries, Federal Retirees
CHIGOZIE AMADI
The federal government yesterday announced that it had released funds for payment of withheld salaries of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Federal Universities (NASU).
The Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) also said payments to the non-academic staff of Federal Universities had commenced, adding that many have confirmed receipt of payment.
A statement issued by the Director of Press and Public Relations, OAGF, Mr. Bawa Mokwa, pointed out that the federal government had also released funds for payment of benefits to retirees under the Nigerian Union of Pensioners Contributory Pension Scheme Sector (NUPCPS).
The office further reaffirmed the current administration’s commitment to efficiently cater for the well being of Nigerian workers and retirees.
The federal government recently said it was negotiating with members of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) to end their strike.
Both unions went on an indefinite strike over non-payment of their four-month salaries that were withheld during their 2022 strike.
The government spoke after a meeting with members of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of both unions at the Federal Ministry of Education in Abuja.
Addressing reporters after the meeting, the former Minister of State for Education, Dr. Yusuf Sununu, who was mandated by the new Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, to chair the meeting, explained that efforts were ongoing to resolve the issues raised by the unions.
He said the government was using a holistic approach to resolve the matter while discussions had reached an advanced stage to meet the unions’ demands.
Sununu assured the unions that the government was committed to having a stable educational system and resolving the lingering crisis in the sector.
He said: “We have just had a meeting under the directive of the Minister of Education, who, along the line, joined us virtually, to address the ongoing strike commenced by the Joint Action Committee of NASU and SSANU.
“We have reviewed the reasons for the strike and we briefed them on the efforts of the Federation Ministry of Education to get the issues resolved. Where we are now – and we holistically looked at it – then added other issues that are likely to erupt so that the ministry can take a holistic approach to all issues.
