The Federal Government has disbursed funds to pay the withheld salaries of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Federal Universities (NASU), according to the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF). This move comes as NASU and the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU) commenced a nationwide strike on Sunday.
In a statement released in Abuja, the OAGF also confirmed the release of funds to cover benefits for retirees under the Nigerian Union of Pensioners Contributory Pension Scheme Sector (NUPCPS). The office reported that payments to NASU members have already begun, with many beneficiaries acknowledging receipt.
Reaffirming its dedication, the OAGF emphasized, “We are committed to the welfare of Nigerian workers and retirees, ensuring timely and efficient financial support.”
The timing of the fund release coincides with heightened tensions as NASU and SSANU launched an industrial action over a slew of unresolved issues, which include discrepancies in the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), delayed payment of earned allowances, and non-payment of the arrears for the national minimum wage and consequential adjustments.
Union representatives accused the government of neglecting its commitments, urging stakeholders within the university system to advocate for an immediate resolution to avert a complete breakdown of operations and industrial peace within the academic sector.
Despite the positive steps reported by the OAGF, the statement did not specify whether members of SSANU would receive similar payments for their outstanding wages.
The strike, driven by mounting frustrations over unmet agreements and payment inconsistencies, has cast a shadow on the state of higher education, disrupting university operations nationwide. Union leaders called on Nigerians to pressure the government into honoring existing agreements, stressing that continued failure would jeopardize the already fragile industrial harmony.
