The Federal Government has initiated the release of salaries previously withheld from academics associated with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
Prof. Gbolahan Bolarin, Chairperson of ASUU at the Federal University of Technology, Minna, confirmed this positive development, indicating that payments have commenced.
The decision follows President Bola Tinubu’s approval in October 2023 to release four out of the eight months’ withheld salaries owed to ASUU workers. During the eight-month strike by select university-based unions in 2022, which resulted in salary withholdings, the former administration under President Muhammadu Buhari implemented a ‘No Work, No Pay’ policy.
In a recent announcement, Minister of Education Tahir Mamman revealed a 35% increase in salaries for university workers. Moreover, universities have been granted autonomy, marking their removal from the Integrated Payment and Payroll Information System (IPPIS). Additionally, Mamman highlighted that universities no longer require waivers for recruitment and filling vacancies, signifying a significant stride towards institutional autonomy.
These decisions, as stated by Mamman, were reached through informal consultations with tertiary institution unions, underscoring a collaborative approach towards addressing crucial issues in the education sector.