The National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) has given the Nigerian Government a two-week deadline to pay its members’ five months of withheld salaries or face an indefinite strike.
The union also announced plans to picket the Ministry of Finance on November 14, citing the ministry’s failure to implement President Bola Tinubu’s directive to release the withheld payments.
NAAT has directed its branch leaders to mobilize members for protests and picketing of relevant government agencies, with activities commencing at midnight on November 6, 2024. The protests will involve branches across universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education nationwide.
Escalating Labour Tensions
The ultimatum follows a similar indefinite strike by two other non-academic staff unions, the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU), over withheld salaries.
Speaking after the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja, NAAT President Comrade Ibeji Nwokoma highlighted long-standing issues, including:
- Payment of five and a half months of withheld salaries.
- Full implementation of a 2009 agreement covering allowances for academic technologists, student training programs, and improved staff-to-student ratios.
- Funding for the upgrading of university laboratories.
- Addressing underfunding and the proliferation of public universities.
Nwokoma lamented the government’s inaction despite a prior three-week ultimatum issued on September 30, 2024, which expired on October 21 without acknowledgment from the ministries of education and labour.
Frustration Over Unfulfilled Commitments
The union expressed deep dissatisfaction with the Federal Government’s “insensitivity,” noting that President Tinubu had approved the payment of the withheld salaries, yet the Ministry of Finance has not acted on the directive.
“It is unfortunate that despite the President’s waiver and approval, the refusal of the finance minister to effect this raises questions about the government’s sincerity in resolving these issues,” Nwokoma stated.
NAAT also referenced several unfulfilled agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with the government, dating back to 2017.
Strike Looms
To escalate pressure, NAAT branches have been instructed to convene congresses and conduct referendums during the two-week ultimatum to decide on further actions.
If the government fails to act by November 13, 2024, NAAT has pledged to commence an indefinite strike, which could disrupt academic calendars and critical research across tertiary institutions.
Nwokoma warned:
“Should there be no positive response by the end of the ultimatum, the union will embark on a nationwide protest culminating in an indefinite strike.”
This ultimatum underscores growing unrest in the education sector, with stakeholders demanding urgent action to address systemic issues and uphold agreements.
