By Cross Udo, Abuja
Crisis appears to be brewing in Federal Universities following the rejection of the sharing formula for the N50bn Earned Allowances by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU).
The N50bn Earned Allowances recently approved by the Federal Government are to be shared among the university-based unions, which include SSANU, NASU, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT).
The JAC of SSANU and NASU has raised the alarm that 80 per cent of the money has been allocated to ASUU, leaving a paltry 20 per cent for the other three unions to share.
In a statement yesterday titled, “Unjust distribution of the approved N50 billion for university unions,” signed by the JAC Chairman and President of SSANU, Comrade Mohamed Ibrahim and the General Secretary of NASU, Prince Peters Adeyemi, the two unions expressed displeasure over the sharing formula.
They described it as lopsided and grossly unfair, provocative, totally unacceptable, and capable of creating industrial disharmony, thereby further accentuating the teaching/non-teaching dichotomy in Nigerian Universities.
The statement read, “The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) expresses its deep displeasure, outrage, and firm rejection of the recent distribution formula adopted for the disbursement of the N50bn approved by the Federal Government for university-based unions.
“We have received, with utter disappointment, the information that 80% of the sum has been allocated solely to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), while the remaining 20% is expected to be shared among SSANU, NASU and NAAT.
“This lopsided arrangement is grossly unfair, provocative, totally unacceptable, and capable of creating industrial disharmony, thereby further accentuating the teaching/non-teaching dichotomy in Nigerian Universities.
“Non-Teaching staff of Nigerian Universities are not second-class citizens but are critical stakeholders who contribute immensely to the day-to-day functionality, administrative efficiency, research excellence, technical operations, and overall development of the Nigerian Universities system.”
They said the latest attempt to diminish their role and worth through the alleged inequitable distribution is an injustice we will not accept in silence.
“We wish to clarify that this is not a contest of union supremacy. Rather, it is about fairness, recognition, and the equitable treatment of all workers who form the backbone of the Nigerian University system,” they said.
They contended that a harmonious and productive academic environment can only be achieved when all stakeholders are treated with respect, dignity, equity, and fairness.
According to the statement, “It is unnecessary to remind the government of the essential and pivotal roles played by Non-Teaching staff (and which we will continue to play) in stabilising the Nigerian university system. The government and its agencies fully know SSANU and NASU’s invaluable contributions in ensuring our universities’ stability, functionality, and excellence.
“Their decisions should, therefore, reflect this understanding and uphold the principles of equity and justice.
“We strongly urge the Federal Government to immediately review and reverse the recommended allocation formula, as going ahead with this unfair distribution will only breed avoidable resentment and trigger widespread industrial disharmony, something the University system can ill afford at this critical time.
“SSANU and NASU stand united in demanding justice, fairness, and a recognition of our rightful place in the University community.
“We will not fold our arms while our rights are trampled and our members are treated with disdain. The time to correct this injustice is now, a stitch in time saves nine!,” the statement concluded.
