Reports indicate that NAMDA members at the University of Maiduguri and the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, have received their payments.
In response to this development, Dr. Niyi Sunmonu, the National President of the Congress of University Academics (CONUA), stated that his union is actively pursuing the payment process for its members as well. He expressed hope that members of CONUA would also receive their salaries, emphasizing that the union is closely monitoring the situation.
When approached for comment, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, the National President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), stated that the matter will be deliberated upon during the upcoming National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the union.
It is worth recalling that during ASUU’s eight-month strike, which began on February 14 last year, the Nigerian government officially registered NAMDA and CONUA. Both unions have consistently claimed that they did not participate in the strike and continued their work until the authorities closed down campuses.
As a requirement for salary payments, the government requested evidence of work during the strike period from the two unions. Based on the provided evidence, the government has now commenced the payment of withheld salaries.
Throughout the strike, the government implemented the “no work, no pay” policy, resulting in the denial of salaries for the striking lecturers for eight months.
In a related development, the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Abuja, has scheduled May 30 as the date to decide on the lawsuit filed by the government against ASUU regarding last year’s strike.
ASUU suspended the strike on October 14 in compliance with the court’s orders.