‘We’re Ready for No-Work-No-Pay, Government Betrayed Our Trust’ – ASUU

…rejects 25% pay rise

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has accused the federal government of breach of agreement in its handling of negotiations over the lingering issues affecting the nation’s public universities, vowing to proceed with its planned strike despite threats of a no-work-no-pay policy.

Chris Piwuna, ASUU President, speaking in an interview with AriseTv said the government had once again reneged on agreements reached with the union, betraying the trust built during months of collective bargaining facilitated by the Mahmud Yayale Ahmed Expanded Negotiation Committee.

“You cannot find common ground when you have a partner that constantly betrays you. This government acts with such dubiety that you wonder whether we live on the same earth. They tell you they’re implementing what was agreed, yet they’re doing the exact opposite.

“This minister has threatened us many times with no work, no pay. We wish him luck. We are ready to go that path again. If fear of that policy makes us accept injustice, then we are not worth anything as intellectuals,” Piwuna said.

According to him, the committee, set up by the current administration, had successfully closed major gaps between both parties, reaching consensus on key issues such as conditions of service, sustainable funding for public universities, university autonomy, and other welfare matters.

However, Piwuna disclosed that Tunji Alausa, Minister of Education, allegedly disregarded the committee’s recommendations and presented a new document “alien” to the original agreement. He said the new proposal offered only a 25 percent salary increase, contrary to the Nimi Briggs benchmark earlier adopted during negotiations.

“Rather than build on the report agreed upon, the minister sat down and decided to give us 25 percent of our current salaries, before tax. That is not what we discussed. That is not collective bargaining,” he said.

The ASUU president also faulted the government’s decision to exclude university lecturers from the federal workers’ group life insurance scheme, describing it as discriminatory and unjustified.

On the federal government’s threat to invoke the no-work-no-pay rule, Piwuna maintained that the union was unfazed, saying ASUU had “travelled that road before” and was prepared to endure the consequences again if necessary.

“This minister has threatened us many times with no work, no pay. We wish him luck. We are ready to go that path again. If fear of that policy makes us accept injustice, then we are not worth anything as intellectuals,” he said

Piwuna dismissed claims that the government’s release of ₦50 billion for university revitalisation saying the amount was negligible when spread across 193 federal and state universities.

He also clarified that another ₦50 billion disbursed as earned academic allowances was only a partial payment, after government deducted 20 percent to appease other unions.

While expressing regret over the impact of ASUU’s industrial action on students, Piwuna insisted that past strikes had forced the government to improve facilities, renovate hostels, and equip laboratories in public universities.

“We regret that our students are going through this, but it is strike that has compelled government to act in the past. If they had respected agreements, we wouldn’t be here again,” he said.

ASUU has therefore called on the Federal Government to revisit the Mahmud Yayale Ahmed Committee’s report and implement the agreed recommendations, warning that there would be “no going back” on its planned action until justice is done.

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