•Academic technologists on protest
The National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) has directed its members to commence a national protest on August 6, 2025.
It also directed its affiliate members to repeat the protest on August 13 and 20 respectively, reports Daily Independent.
The decision follows the 59th regular meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) of NAAT, presided over by the President, Comrade Ibeji Nwokoma, which held at Yobe State University, Damaturu, recently.
Commenting on their grievances, Nwokoma said NEC frowned at the modalities used by the federal government in the sharing and disbursement of the ₦50 billion Earned Allowances (EA) and Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) arrears.
Beyond Earned Allowances, NAAT took out time to reflect on other allowances yet to be redeemed by the federal government, especially non payment for Field Trip, Student/Technologist Staff Ratio Supplementation, Students’ Work Experience Programme (SWEP), and Call Duty allowances.
Nwokoma lamented what he described as injustice in the release and disbursement of ₦50 billion to settle the outstanding claims of Earned Allowances for NAAT members and other unions.
NAAT listed its demands necessitating the nationwide protest to include completion of the renegotiation of the FGN/NAAT 2009 Agreement, Implementation of the Consequential Adjustment of the new National Minimum Wage, Payment of the three and a half months of withheld salaries, Payment of arrears of seven (7) months of Occupational Hazard Allowance and release of third -party deductions for the two months of withheld salaries that were paid.
Other demands include, Payment of eleven (11) months’ arrears of Responsibility Allowance, Release of an enabling circular for career progression to CONTISS 14 & 15 for Academic Technologist, Payment of arrears of the ₦30,000 Minimum Wage to omitted NAAT members (implemented in 2019 and the Recognition of NEC-approved Branch Executives by the Management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), Awka & University of Nigeria Nsukka respectively.
He said once the ultimatum expires, the Union would be left with no option but to embark on the 1st Nationwide Protest by all Branches – Wednesday, 6th August 2025
“2nd Nationwide Protest by all Branches – Wednesday, 13th August 2025 and National Protest in Abuja – Wednesday, 20th August 2025
“Further to this, all NAAT Branches have been directed to commence the sensitization and mobilization of members in preparation for the actions scheduled for August 2025.
“NAAT remains committed to dialogue and constructive engagement with relevant stakeholders to resolve our grievances and to improve the welfare of our members
“We call on the general public, traditional and religious leaders, members of the National Assembly, and well-meaning Nigerians to intervene and prevail upon the federal government to do the needful in order to sustain the relative peace currently being enjoyed on our university campuses,”it threatened.
