Members of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Other Associated Institutions (NASU) have signaled a potential resumption of their suspended strike due to ongoing issues regarding withheld salaries. The warning was articulated by NASU’s General Secretary, Peters Adeyemi, during the National Executive Council meeting held in Abuja. Although he refrained from specifying a date for the strike’s return, Adeyemi expressed that the union has been patient long enough regarding the payment of salaries that have been in limbo. He emphasized that the situation has deteriorated since the President’s previous directive regarding the matter has not been heeded.
Adeyemi’s statements highlighted a critical frustration with the current status of salary payments. He noted a significant shift in the responsiveness of government authorities, emphasizing that traditionally, a command from the President is taken seriously, often prompting swift action from his aides. In this case, however, it seems the Minister of Finance has not prioritized the payment of the owed salaries, instead, seeming to operate independently of the President’s directives. The perceived disregard for the President’s authority is causing unrest among NASU members, who feel that their concerns are not being taken seriously by the Ministry of Finance.
The union leader went on to point out that despite their efforts to maintain patience and avoid immediate strike action, the persistent neglect in salary payment is pushing members to reconsider their approach. Adeyemi argued that previous interventions and communications aimed at delaying the strike were becoming increasingly unviable. The frustration among the union members has grown as it appears that the Ministry of Finance, under the current leadership, is unwilling to release the two months’ salary payments, which had been reported as approved by the President.
The broader implications of this standoff are significant, especially in the context of President Bola Tinubu’s initiatives to end strikes within educational institutions. Since October 2023, the President had instructed the payment of two months of withheld salaries specifically to members of NASU and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, which had accumulated from the fallout of past strikes led by former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. Adeyemi noted that the current situation could undermine the overall efforts of the government to stabilize the educational sector and prevent prolonged disputes.
Given that the Ministry of Education has reportedly done its part to align with the President’s directives, the frustration of NASU members shifts the blame primarily onto the Minister of Finance, who allegedly is causing delays in salary disbursement. This conflict poses a challenge not only for NASU members who are anxiously awaiting the resolution but also for the government’s image regarding their commitment to addressing the grievances of workers in the education sector. The ongoing tensions reflect an ongoing struggle within the government itself, indicating a potential lack of cohesion or communication between different governmental branches.
As discussions continue, NASU’s readiness to resume its strike underscores a critical juncture in the negotiations between labor unions and the government. The union’s patience has worn thin, and the leadership is preparing to take decisive action if the situation remains unresolved. Members are calling for urgency in addressing their financial concerns, which they believe are paramount to fostering a harmonious working environment within academic institutions. The ongoing dialogue will be crucial in determining the future path of the union’s actions and the government’s response to ensure the educational sector remains functional amidst these labor disputes.
