By Akinsuroju Olubunmi
FG initiates payment of withheld ASUU salaries
The Federal Government has commenced the disbursement of withheld salaries owed to members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), according to reports from multiple sources within the academic sector.
Prof. Gbolahan Bolarin, the ASUU chairperson at the Federal University of Technology, Minna, confirmed the development, stating, “Yes, it is true. Payment has started rolling in.”
President Bola Tinubu approved the release of four out of the eight months’ worth of salaries withheld from ASUU members in October 2023. These salaries had been withheld during the tenure of former President Muhammadu Buhari, who implemented a ‘No Work, No Pay policy’ against university-based unions during an eight-month strike in 2022.
In recent statements, Minister of Education Tahir Mamman announced a 35% increase in salaries for university workers and the granting of autonomy to universities, allowing them to operate independently from the Integrated Payment and Payroll Information System. Additionally, universities are now empowered to recruit and fill vacancies without requiring a waiver.
These decisions were reached through informal consultations with unions representing tertiary institutions.
Further details are expected to be provided later.
FG, ASUU Salaries