JUST IN: Tinubu Grants Reprieve, Approves Payment of Withheld ASUU Salaries

President Bola Tinubu has given the green light for the release of four months’ worth of salaries that were previously withheld from members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

Nigeria’s public universities have been plagued by persistent disruptions to academic calendars over the years, primarily stemming from ASUU’s protests against funding shortfalls, subpar working conditions, and the deterioration of infrastructure.

ASUU’s latest strike, marking their 16th in 23 years, commenced in 2022 and persisted for an unprecedented eight months. However, in September 2022, the National Industrial Court (NIC) intervened, temporarily halting the strike while a legal matter remained unresolved.

The federal government staunchly maintained its stance, asserting that the lecturers would not receive payment for the duration of the strike in accordance with the “no work, no pay” directive. This stance was upheld by the NIC on May 30.

Nevertheless, President Tinubu has taken a compassionate stance on the issue. On Friday, he exercised his presidential prerogative of mercy to intervene in the matter, offering a glimmer of hope to the affected academics.

Tinubu has, in part, waived the “no work, no pay” policy, translating into the release of four out of the eight months of salaries that had been withheld by the government. This move is seen as a significant step towards alleviating the hardships faced by the academic community during the implementation of crucial economic reforms in the nation.

Presidential spokesperson Ajuri Ngelale, in a statement, conveyed Tinubu’s decision, emphasizing that this waiver is a part of ongoing efforts to mitigate the challenges associated with economic reforms. Furthermore, both the education and labor ministries have been assigned the task of establishing a Document of Understanding (DoU) to affirm that this waiver will be the final one granted to ASUU and other education sector unions.

This development offers a glimmer of hope to ASUU members who have long been grappling with financial uncertainty, marking a potential turning point in the ongoing saga of academic disruptions in Nigeria’s public universities.