The N50 billion recently released to workers in the federal universities may brew a fresh industrial crisis in the ivory towers.
This is because the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) have rejected the sharing formula of ratio 80 to the academic staffers and the remaining 20 per cent to the non-teaching staff, reports The Guardian.
In a communiqué of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the two unions signed jointly by the General Secretary of NASU, Peters Adeyemi, and National President of SSANU, Mohammed Ibrahim, the non-teaching staff unions express their deep displeasure, outrage, and firm rejection of the recent distribution formula adopted for the disbursement of the N50 billion naira approved by the federal government for university-based unions.
The joint communiqué read in part: “We have received, with utter disappointment, the information that 80 per cent of the sum has been allocated solely to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), while the remaining 20 per cent is expected to be shared among SSANU, NASU, and NAAT. This lopsided arrangement is grossly unfair, provocative, totally unacceptable, and capable of creating industrial disharmony, thereby further accentuating the teaching/non-teaching dichotomy in Nigerian universities.”
The unions insisted that the non-teaching staff of universities are not second-class citizens but are critical stakeholders who contribute immensely to the day-to-day functionality, administrative efficiency, research excellence, technical operations, and overall development of the Nigerian university system.
The unions said the latest attempt to diminish their role and worth through inequitable distribution is an injustice that they will not accept in silence.
“We wish to make it clear that this is not a contest of supremacy among unions. Rather, it is about fairness, recognition, and the equitable treatment of all workers who form the backbone of the Nigerian university system,” JAC of NASU and SSANU stated.
The unions maintained that a harmonious and productive academic environment can only be achieved when all stakeholders are treated with respect, dignity, equity, and fairness.
It submitted that it is unnecessary to remind the government of the essential and pivotal roles played by non-teaching staff in stabilising the Nigerian university system.
It added that the government and its agencies are fully aware of the invaluable contributions of SSANU and NASU in ensuring the stability, functionality, and excellence of our universities, saying: “Their decisions should, therefore, reflect this understanding and uphold the principles of equity and justice. We strongly urge the federal government to immediately review and reverse the recommended allocation formula, as going ahead with this unfair distribution will only breed avoidable resentment and trigger widespread industrial disharmony—something the university system can ill afford at this critical time.”
Both SSANU and NASU said they stand united in demanding justice, fairness, and a recognition of our rightful place in the university community.
The communiqué added: “We will not fold our arms while our rights are trampled and our members are treated with disdain. The time to correct this injustice is now—a stitch in time saves nine!”
