Strike looms in universities as unions give 7-day ultimatum over unpaid salaries - Newstrends
Connect with us

Education

Strike looms in universities as unions give 7-day ultimatum over unpaid salaries

Published

3 years ago

on

Nigerian University

Strike looms in universities as unions give 7-day ultimatum over unpaid salaries

The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has issued a one-week ultimatum for the federal government to pay the unions’ members’ withheld salaries or risk an industrial action.

This is as the Congress of University Academics (CONUA) also has asked the government to pay its members the remaining part of their withheld salaries.

In a statement jointly signed by SSANU President, Mohammed Ibrahim, and NASU Secretary, Peters Adeyemi, the workers asked the government to pay the withheld salaries like their academic counterparts who were paid four months out of the arrears of several months.

JAC said it had written protest letters to the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, over the exclusion of the non-academic staff when the government decided to pay part of the withheld salaries but that the letters were not responded to two weeks after it was submitted.

“We, therefore, use this opportunity once again to call on the federal government to do the needful within the next seven days as the Joint Action Committee of NASU and SSANU should not be held responsible should the wheel of administration and corporate governance be grounded to a halt in the university sector, as we have exercised enough patience,” part of the statement reads.

The statement added: “If nothing is done by the federal government to positively address this situation and respond to our previous letters to them, the members of the two unions may be forced to meet soon to take all lawful and stringent decisions on the matter.”

JAC said it had done everything possible within its power to prevail on its members to maintain industrial peace and tranquility.

READ ALSO:

“While we appreciate the federal government for paying our academic counterpart, we also deem it necessary that our members are also paid,” the statement said, adding that the unions can no longer guarantee industrial harmony on the campuses should the government fail to pay them.

In 2022, two months after ASUU commenced a nationwide strike, both SSANU and NASU also embarked on nationwide industrial action that further crippled activities across the campuses.

The action was to protest the government’s failure to fulfill its promises to the workers and what they described as gross underfunding of the universities.

At the time, the former administration of President Muhammadu Buhari invoked a ‘No Work, No Pay’ policy and withheld the workers’ salaries.

The National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) also took part in the strike at the time.

SSANU queried the rationale behind the government’s insistence on the “no work, no pay policy,” saying that due process was followed before embarking on the strike that lasted for four months. Till the end of his tenure, Buhari never authorised the payment of the workers.

However, in October 2023, Tinubu announced that his government would pay four months of the withheld salaries to members of ASUU, immediately raising concerns as to the fate of the members of the other unions.

The National Vice President of SSANU, Abdussobur Salaam, said at the time that the directive appeared to be selective in favour of a single union out of others whose members’ salaries were withheld.

He said the president’s directive if not reviewed to include SSANU and other unions could be a recipe for disaster as he threatened another round of strikes if SSANU members’ withheld salaries were not paid alongside that of ASUU.

Meanwhile, CONUA has asked the federal government to pay its members the remaining part of their withheld salaries.

The academic union, a breakaway from the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) asked the government to stop lumping up its members’ issues with those of ASUU members, saying its members had consistently denied being on strike while the ASUU strike lasted in 2022.

The latest position is contained in a statement issued by CONUA and signed by its National President, ‘Niyi Sunmonu, who commended President Tinubu for paying four months from the almost eight months’ withheld salaries of universities’ academic staff.

READ ALSO:

The statement titled: ‘State of the Nation, Payment of Four Months out of Seven and a Half Months’ Withheld Salaries, Stagnation of Remuneration of Academics, and Call for Negotiations,” CONUA urged the President to speed up his efforts and interventions aimed at repositioning the country for good and to address the pains of the poor due to economic hardship.

The statement reads in part: “Our union, CONUA, has consistently maintained that it never declared and was not part of any strike action.

“Since CONUA neither called for nor joined any strike, withholding the three and a half months salaries of members of the union contravenes Section 43 (1b) of the Trade Disputes Act CAP. T8, which states that “where any employer locks out his workers, the workers shall be entitled to wages and any other applicable remunerations for the period of the lock-out and the period of the lock-out shall not prejudicially affect any rights of the workers being rights dependent on the continuity of the period of employment”. This provision is consistent with global best practices. In conclusion on this, CONUA demands that the process of paying these outstanding months be kick-started immediately to ensure lasting peace in our ivory towers.”

In 2022, the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari invoked a ‘No Work, No Pay’ policy and withheld the workers’ salaries during the eight-month strike.

The workers’ unions that had their members’ salaries withheld at the time include ASUU and CONUA.

Others are: NASU, SSANU) and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT).

However, in October, Tinubu announced that his government would pay four of the withheld salaries to members of ASUU, immediately raising concerns as to the fate of the members of the other unions.

Last week, the federal government began paying the academics – ASUU and CONUA – leaving out the non-academic staff.

Strike looms in universities as unions give 7-day ultimatum over unpaid salaries

Loading

Related Topics:
Advertisement

Education

NELFUND Warns Schools: Student Loans Are Voluntary, Not Compulsory

Published

2 days ago

on

October 21, 2026

By

NELFUND Warns Schools: Student Loans Are Voluntary, Not Compulsory

NELFUND Warns Schools: Student Loans Are Voluntary, Not Compulsory

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has warned tertiary institutions against compelling students to apply for the Federal Government’s student loan scheme, insisting that accessing the facility is voluntary and not a condition for studying in Nigerian institutions.

The clarification followed controversy over a directive reportedly issued by the Enugu State College of Education (Technical), Enugu, requiring all fresh and returning students to apply for and access the loan for the 2026/2027 academic session.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, NELFUND said students should determine whether to apply based on their individual financial circumstances and genuine need for assistance.

The statement was signed by the fund’s Director of Strategic Communications, Oseyemi Oluwatuyi.

NELFUND explained that the student loan scheme was established to remove financial barriers to higher education, promote equal access to learning opportunities and ensure that eligible Nigerians were not denied education because of financial difficulties.

It stressed that students who could independently afford their educational expenses were under no obligation to apply for or access the facility.

“The student loan scheme is a support mechanism, not an obligation,” the fund stated.

NELFUND added that making the loan compulsory for every student, regardless of their financial circumstances, would defeat the purpose of the programme.

READ ALSO:

According to the agency, its objective is not to encourage indiscriminate borrowing but to ensure that eligible students who genuinely require financial assistance can access support to pursue their academic ambitions.

The clarification comes amid concerns over an internal memorandum reportedly issued by the management of the Enugu State College of Education (Technical).

The memorandum, dated October 6, 2026, and signed by the institution’s Acting Registrar, Patrick A. Aneke, reportedly directed all students in its Nigeria Certificate in Education and degree programmes to apply for the loan for the 2026/2027 academic session.

It also instructed deans, directors, heads of departments and student representatives to communicate the directive to students and asked them to visit the institution’s NELFUND desk officer for assistance with applications.

Reports surrounding the directive indicated that students who failed to comply could face restrictions on taking examinations or continuing their studies, raising concerns about the implications of compelling students to take loans.

NELFUND’s clarification reinforces the distinction between making financial assistance available to eligible students and requiring every student to borrow, irrespective of whether they need the support.

The fund further explained that although its loans are interest-free, beneficiaries are required to repay them in accordance with the provisions of the Student Loans Act.

It therefore urged prospective applicants to understand the scheme’s terms and conditions and make informed decisions before applying.

NELFUND also called on tertiary institutions, student leaders and other stakeholders to provide accurate information about the programme and guide students who require financial assistance through the application process.

The agency reiterated its commitment to ensuring that financial hardship does not prevent eligible Nigerians from pursuing higher education.

The development has renewed attention on the implementation of the Federal Government’s student loan programme and the need for institutions to ensure that students understand both the benefits and repayment obligations associated with the facility.

NELFUND maintained that the scheme should remain an avenue for financial support for students who need it, rather than a compulsory borrowing arrangement imposed on the entire student population.

NELFUND Warns Schools: Student Loans Are Voluntary, Not Compulsory

Loading

Continue Reading

Education

Tinubu Scraps Recruitment Waiver Requirement for Federal Universities

Published

6 days ago

on

October 18, 2026

By

Tinubu Scraps Recruitment Waiver Requirement for Federal Universities
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
Tinubu Scraps Recruitment Waiver Requirement for Federal Universities

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has exempted federal universities from the requirement to obtain recruitment waivers from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) before employing new staff, in a move aimed at strengthening institutional autonomy and easing recruitment bottlenecks in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.

Tinubu announced the policy change on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at the maiden convocation ceremony of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Azare (FUHSA), in Bauchi State. He was represented at the event by the Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Sonny Echono.

The President, who serves as Visitor to all federal universities, said the reform was reflected in recent agreements signed between the Federal Government and university staff unions.

According to him, the decision would empower the Federal Ministry of Education and university governing councils to take responsibility for recruitment decisions and respond more effectively to their institutions’ staffing needs.

“This measure empowers the Federal Ministry of Education and university Governing Councils to discharge their respective responsibilities in staff recruitment, enabling institutions to respond more effectively to their legitimate manpower needs,” Tinubu said.

The removal of the waiver requirement is expected to reduce administrative delays that can hinder universities from filling vacant positions, replacing retiring employees and recruiting additional academic and non-academic personnel.

Under the previous arrangement, federal institutions could be required to obtain clearance from the OHCSF before recruiting new employees. Removing this requirement for federal universities is intended to give university authorities greater flexibility in addressing staffing shortages and managing their operations.

READ ALSO:

However, the reform does not mean that universities are exempt from all public-sector recruitment rules or that appointments can be made without appropriate institutional procedures.

Tinubu said the policy formed part of his administration’s broader efforts to strengthen university autonomy, improve personnel management and create a more conducive environment for teaching, research, innovation and service delivery.

The President also disclosed that the Federal Government was working to improve personnel and payroll administration across tertiary institutions by migrating their staff from the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) to the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS).

He said the transition was intended to improve payroll efficiency, strengthen transparency and accountability, ensure timely and accurate salary payments, and accommodate the operational peculiarities of universities and other tertiary institutions.

The proposed changes come amid longstanding discussions about the autonomy of Nigerian universities, including their ability to manage staffing, finances and other internal administrative responsibilities.

For universities struggling with shortages of lecturers, researchers, laboratory personnel and other essential workers, the removal of the recruitment waiver requirement could make it easier to respond to vacancies, subject to available funding and applicable recruitment procedures.

Beyond recruitment and payroll reforms, Tinubu reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to investing in tertiary education infrastructure, research and staff welfare.

He disclosed that FUHSA had received an initial ₦8 billion intervention through TETFund to support its establishment. He said the investment followed lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, which exposed weaknesses in Nigeria’s healthcare system and highlighted the need to strengthen medical education and research capacity.

According to the President, further support would be channelled to the university through TETFund’s regular and special interventions, alongside allocations in the 2026 national budget for roads, lecture halls, laboratories and utility vehicles.

Tinubu also announced that ₦10 billion had been provided for the National Research Fund in 2026, urging universities, particularly specialised institutions such as FUHSA, to pursue research that addresses Nigeria’s pressing healthcare challenges.

On staff welfare, he said the Federal Government had signed agreements with academic and non-academic unions covering the payment of the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) and the Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance (CONTTA), effective January 1, 2026.

He said the agreements recognised the distinct but complementary contributions of teaching and non-teaching personnel to the effective running of tertiary institutions.

Tinubu further disclosed that 1,798 FUHSA students, representing 43 per cent of the institution’s student population, had secured support from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) for the 2025/2026 academic session.

The President congratulated the university’s 50 pioneer graduates and urged them to apply their knowledge and professional skills to improving healthcare delivery, particularly for vulnerable Nigerians.

He also encouraged FUHSA to strengthen partnerships with international institutions, including the University of Miami, Boston University and Universiti Sains Malaysia, while ensuring that such collaborations translate into measurable improvements in teaching, research and healthcare services.

The recruitment reform is expected to attract attention from university administrators, lecturers, non-academic staff and prospective employees as institutions assess how the new arrangement will affect recruitment timelines and staffing priorities.

Its impact will ultimately depend on how effectively university governing councils and the Federal Ministry of Education implement the policy, alongside adequate funding, transparent recruitment processes and effective oversight.

 

Tinubu Scraps Recruitment Waiver Requirement for Federal Universities

Loading

Continue Reading

Education

JAMB Reopens NIN Alignment Window, Gives Candidates One More Chance to Correct Data

Published

1 week ago

on

October 16, 2026

By

JAMB Reopens NIN Alignment Window, Gives Candidates One More Chance to Correct Data
JAMB Reopens NIN Alignment Window, Gives Candidates One More Chance to Correct Data

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has reopened its National Identification Number (NIN) alignment service, giving eligible candidates another opportunity to correct discrepancies between their examination records and information held by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).

The examination body announced the development on Friday, October 16, 2026, through its official social media account, urging candidates with mismatched personal details to take advantage of the reopening and ensure their records are consistent.

However, JAMB warned that the opportunity is a one-time exercise and that submitting an application does not guarantee approval. All requests will be subjected to verification before a decision is made.

The board advised candidates to correct any errors in their NIN records through NIMC before applying to align their details with their JAMB profiles.

Applicants were also urged to review their information carefully and select every correction they require in a single submission to avoid mistakes that could affect the outcome of their applications.

READ ALSO:

The discrepancies may involve names, dates of birth and other personal information, depending on the fields approved for correction under the service.

JAMB explained that the application procedure, eligible fields, verification requirements and other important details had been outlined in an accompanying episode of its JAMB Explained video series.

Candidates were advised to watch the official guide and follow the prescribed steps before submitting their applications. The board also cautioned against rushing the process or providing incomplete information.

To avoid complications, candidates should first ensure that any approved changes to their NIN records have been fully reflected in the NIMC database before beginning the alignment process with JAMB.

Those who need to update their NIN information can use the NIMC self-service modification portal at https://selfservicemodification.nimc.gov.ng or visit an authorised NIMC centre, subject to the applicable requirements.

After correcting their NIN details, candidates should follow the application channel and instructions specified in JAMB’s official announcement and accompanying video. They should rely on the board’s official website, https://www.jamb.gov.ng, and its e-Facility portal, https://efacility.jamb.gov.ng, for verified guidance.

The reopening is intended to improve the accuracy and consistency of personal records used in Nigeria’s tertiary admission process, where discrepancies between examination and national identity records can create verification difficulties.

JAMB urged candidates to act carefully, ensure that their information is accurate and wait for official confirmation rather than assume that their applications have been approved.

 

JAMB Reopens NIN Alignment Window, Gives Candidates One More Chance to Correct Data

Loading

Continue Reading

Trending