ASUU Members to Receive Partially Withheld Salaries

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has granted approval for the disbursement of four months’ worth of the salaries that were previously withheld from members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

Nigeria’s public universities have experienced numerous academic disruptions, primarily due to issues such as funding deficits, poor working conditions, and deteriorating infrastructure.

ASUU initiated its 16th strike in 23 years in 2022, lasting for eight months.

The National Industrial Court (NIC) intervened in September 2022, temporarily halting the strike while a lawsuit was pending. The federal government adhered to a “no work, no pay” policy, resulting in unpaid salaries for the striking lecturers.

However, President Tinubu, through an act of presidential clemency, partially waived the “no work, no pay” rule, enabling the release of four months’ worth of withheld salaries.

This decision was made to ease the challenges encountered during the implementation of critical economic reforms in the country.

Furthermore, the education and labor ministries have been tasked with establishing an agreement (DoU) to ensure that this waiver will be the final one granted to ASUU and other education sector unions.