The Federal Government has announced the release of funds designated for the payment of outstanding salaries owed to members of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Federal Universities (NASU). This decision also aims to address the backlog of salaries for retirees under the Nigerian Union of Pensioners Contributory Pension Scheme. The timely disbursement of these funds is crucial for alleviating financial strain on affected individuals.
Bawa Mokwa, the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, confirmed this development in a statement released on Saturday. He noted that payments to NASU members have already begun, with many individuals verifying that they have received the fund transfers. This news brings relief to those who have been awaiting their salaries.
The situation escalated when the Joint Action Committee of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and NASU initiated an indefinite strike on Monday due to four months of unpaid salaries. This strike significantly disrupted activities in the affected universities across the country, prompting solidarity actions from other institutions.
Read also: We’ll only end the strike when we receive payment notifications –SSANU
Despite President Bola Tinubu’s recent directive for the payment of these salaries, the delay in fund release had strained relations between the government and the unions. The leadership of SSANU expressed frustration over the lack of payments, highlighting that vice-chancellors, bursars, and registrars had not yet received their salaries.
In response to the ongoing issues, the unions threatened to lock down the affected universities until their demands were met. This ultimatum underscored the urgency of the situation and the need for immediate action from the government to resolve the salary disputes.
According to Mokwa, the release of funds marks a significant step toward addressing the grievances of NASU members and retirees. He emphasized that the Federal Government is committed to ensuring that all outstanding payments are processed swiftly and efficiently.
The confirmation of fund transfers has been met with relief from many NASU members, who had been enduring financial hardships due to the prolonged salary delays. The government’s action is expected to restore some degree of normalcy in the affected universities and improve morale among staff.
Overall, the release of funds is a positive development in the ongoing negotiations between the government and the unions. It demonstrates a willingness to resolve the issues at hand and highlights the importance of timely salary payments for the well-being of university staff and retirees.
