FG releases withheld salaries of striking non-teaching staff in federal universities
The federal government has released the withheld salaries of striking non-academic staff in federal universities.
Bawa Mokwa, director of press at the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF), confirmed the development to TheCable on Saturday.
He said the disbursement includes benefits payable to retirees under the contributory pension scheme of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners.
On October 28, non-teaching staff unions in federal universities began an indefinite nationwide strike over withheld salaries from 2022.
The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) are key stakeholders in this matter.
Mokwa stated that the payment of withheld salaries has commenced, and non-academic staff of federal universities have confirmed receipt.
He added that the federal government is committed to the welfare of Nigerian workers and retirees.
In 2022, the federal government, under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, withheld the salaries of university staff who participated in an eight-month strike.
In October 2023, President Bola Tinubu approved the release of four months’ worth of withheld salaries for public university teaching staff.
Non-teaching staff unions, including SSANU and NASU, felt excluded and accused the government of unfair treatment and discrimination.
In July, SSANU and NASU held a pre-strike protest to prompt a federal response regarding the unpaid salaries.
The unions have been in prolonged negotiations with the ministries of labor, education, and finance over the issue.
Credit: The Cable
