By Akinsuroju Olubunmi
UNIABUJA Management not cause of ASUU Members’ withheld salaries — VC
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Prof. Abdulrasheed Na’allah, has clarified that the institution is not responsible for the withheld salaries of its Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) members who are currently on strike. In a statement obtained on Monday in Abuja, Na’allah emphasized that despite the ongoing strike, the management approved payment of salaries for all academic staff, including those on strike, despite the Federal Government’s “no work, no pay” policy.
Na’allah noted that the management was actively inquiring with the government regarding the delay, suspecting a glitch in the Remita payment system as the cause. He expressed surprise that ASUU leadership, who have been on strike for over 40 days and have not worked for more than a month, were quick to accuse the university of withholding their salaries.
“The management approved payment of salaries to all academic staff, even those on strike, who under normal circumstances deserve no salary due to the activation of the ‘No Work No Pay’ policy of the Nigerian government,” Na’allah stated.
The Vice-Chancellor further added that the management found it unfortunate that academic staff, particularly those dedicated to their students, were subjected to such suffering. He assured that the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) confirmed the release of May 2024 academic salaries, and any continued delay might be from Remita, not the university management.
On Saturday, members of UNIABUJA’s ASUU and the Congress of University Academics lamented their unpaid salaries, maintaining their strike over the outgoing Vice-Chancellor’s move to advertise the position of VC. The strike, ongoing for 41 days, was a response to what they perceived as a move by the university authorities to undermine their efforts, but ASUU claimed it had strengthened their resolve.
Management, Salaries
UNIABUJA Management not cause of ASUU Members’ withheld salaries — VC