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How ASUU May Forfeit 8 Months Pensionable Period – Chris Ngige

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APC Didn’t Hold Primaries for Anambra Gubernatorial Poll - Ngige

The Federal Government has indicated that members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, may also forfeit their eight months of pension benefits for the time the strike lasted, so the controversy roiling the Nigerian university system may not be over just yet.

Chris Ngige, the minister of labour and employment, made this statement in Abuja following a private meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential villa.

Ngige who described the year 2022 as a year of strikes, noted that members of ASUU triggered the fate which might befall them as a result of the “no work no pay policy” implemented while their strike lasted.

Recall that the apex university union terminated its eight-month strike but did not receive its full month’s salary as a result, leading to an argument between ASUU and the federal government.

Ngige bemoaned the situation, saying that in contrast to the private sector, which was generally quiet throughout the year, the government had to deal with labor issues from numerous unions in the public sector.

The minister of labor also suggested that financial issues were a hindrance to government, but he also mentioned that preparations are in the works to support academic staff’ salaries.

The minister said: “ASUU has not pronounced anything on their salary anymore because it’s one of the issues that was referred to the National Industrial Court for determination, whether a worker who is on strike should be paid in violation of Section 43 of the Trade Dispute Act which says when you go on strike, the consequences are these.

“Number one, you will not be paid, you will not be compensated for not going to work to enable your employer keep the industry or enterprise afloat. That money should not be given to you, and that compensation should not be given. It’s there in Section 43 (1). There is a second leg for Section 43, it also said that period you were on strike will not count for you as part of your pensionable period of work in your service.

“That aspect, government has not touched it, but the aspect of no-work-no-pay has been triggered off by that strike. So we are asking the court to look at it. So the matter is out of the hand of the Executive (that’s us) and out of the hand of the judiciary. ASUU has also put up a defence in court, asking the court, “yes we went on strike, but we did that for a reason.” So it’s now left for the court to look at it.”

Commenting on his mission to the presidential villa, Ngige said, he was there to brief Mr President on the labour sector for 2022.

“It’s a year we can call a year of industrial dispute starting from the February Academic Staff Union of the Universities (ASUU) strike which was joined by other sister unions in the university system and even the people in the research institutes and thereafter pressed from various unions, including the Medical Doctors Association and the youth wing of the National Association of Resident Doctors.

“JOHESU which is the Joint Health Sector Union were all asking for a wage increase, and asking for a wage increase can also be understandable because of what inflation had done to the economy and the attendance cost of living for people who have to be workers in the public sector.

“In the private sector, the private sector employers have managed their affairs better, maybe, because their finances and its management is within their very audit and they could control it, they could do collective bargaining very easily with their workers. The banking sector, food and beverages, and finance, insurance, everywhere; there is calm there. We didn’t have the desired calmness on the government’s side because of the government’s finances, “Ngige told State House correspondents.

Education

Warri School Gets Support from NCDMB, Techico

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The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), in partnership with Techico Resource Solutions Limited, has provided educational materials and teaching tools to Ugbuwangue Secondary School in Warri, Delta State.

The intervention was formally handed over to the school on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at a ceremony attended by representatives of NCDMB, Techico Resource Solutions Limited, the school leadership, teachers, students, and members of the Ugbuwangue community.

READ ALSO: NCDMB Woos Chinese Manufacturers

A statement from the partners on Thursday has it that the support was provided under the “Back to the Creeks” initiative, which was designed to address practical challenges facing students and teachers by providing resources to improve the learning environment and support more effective teaching and learning.

Speaking at the ceremony, Chief Executive Officer of Techico Resource Solutions Limited, Omolola Bolushire, expressed appreciation to NCDMB for supporting the vision behind Back to the Creeks and investing in the future of young people.

She said the initiative demonstrated the importance of moving beyond conversations about development to taking practical steps that respond to the needs of communities.

“It is easy to talk about development. It is something else entirely to come into a community, listen, identify real needs and commit resources to making a difference,” Bolushire said.

Bolushire urged the school and Ugbuwangue community to take ownership of the intervention and protect the resources provided so that future generations could continue to benefit from them.

“These are not simply gifts to a community. They are an investment in a community. Please protect the facilities, protect the school and protect what has been provided,” she said.

Representing NCDMB, Mrs Khadija Jekine, who represented the Executive Secretary, said the Board was pleased to support an initiative focused on improving the learning experience of young people.

“Education is an investment in the future. By supporting schools and young people, we are helping to create opportunities that can have a lasting impact on communities,” Jekine said.

The Principal of Ugbuwangue Secondary School, Mrs Morrison Jemiyotan, also expressed appreciation for the intervention, noting that the resources would support both teachers and students.

“We are grateful for this support. These materials will make a meaningful difference to our school, and we are committed to ensuring that they are properly used and maintained for the benefit of our students,” the Principal said.

The Back to the Creeks initiative reflects the shared commitment of NCDMB and Techico Resource Solutions Limited to supporting communities and creating opportunities for young people through education.

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Education

Students, Lecturers In Limbo As TSU Strike Drags On

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As the indefinite strike at Taraba State University (TSU) continues, both students and lecturers have  been caught in a standoff over unresolved issues between the state government, the University’s management, and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

The strike, which has led to the suspension of exams and left the campus in disarray, stems from long-standing disputes regarding the welfare of lecturers and critical institutional concerns.

Students at TSU, Jalingo, are facing growing uncertainty as the academic calendar remains halted amid the ongoing crisis.

READ MORE: Journalist Adedayo Oderinu Advises Women Against Having Many Children

The Chairperson of ASUU-TSU, Dr. Garba Joshua, disclosed that the strike commenced after a 30-day grace period lapsed without meaningful action from the state government and university authorities to address key demands.

“The unresolved grievances include the lack of a pension scheme, non-payment of salary arrears, failure to constitute a Governing Council, non-payment of Earned Academic Allowances, exclusion from minimum wage implementation, and inadequate funding as stipulated by the University’s founding law,” Dr. Joshua explained.

He added, “ASUU-TSU has consistently engaged with the government to resolve these pressing issues. However, the lack of commitment and action has left us with no choice but to take this step in defense of our members’ welfare, the integrity of the institution, and the future of higher education in Taraba State.”

The strike has left students in limbo, with many expressing frustration over their interrupted academic progress. Some were seen leaving campus with no indication of when classes or exams would resume.

One student, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said, “We are the ones paying the price for a crisis we didn’t create. It’s disheartening to see our education put on hold because of these unresolved issues.”

The impasse has sparked concern among parents and education stakeholders, who are calling for urgent intervention to resolve the crisis.

However, as of the latest update, no resolution has been reached, leaving the future of academic activities at TSU uncertain.

Students and lecturers alike are now waiting for the state government and university management to take decisive action to end the strike and restore normalcy to the institution.

 

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Education

JUST IN: FG Dissolves Nnamdi Azikiwe University Governing Council, Removes VC

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The Federal Government has dissolved the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, and removed its newly appointed Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bernard Odoh, over alleged breaches of university laws and irregularities in his appointment.

This was announced on Wednesday by Folashade Boriowo, the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education.

In a statement, the Ministry accused the Governing Council of failing to follow due process in the appointment of Prof. Odoh, resulting in widespread tension and unrest within the university community.

READ ALSO: Vinicius Jr. Honors Cameroonian Roots Ahead Of Brazil’s Clash With Uruguay

“The Federal Government has announced the dissolution of the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, following grave breaches of the laws governing the university and disregard for lawful directives from the Federal Ministry of Education,” the statement read.

The Federal Ministry of Education also revealed that the Council’s chairman had “unilaterally appointed a Vice-Chancellor who did not meet the minimum eligibility criteria for the position,” leading to the breakdown of law and order on campus.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) had earlier accused the Governing Council of misconduct and called for its dissolution.

The union alleged that the council’s actions undermined the institution’s integrity and violated established procedures.

Commenting on the government’s decision, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said urgent measures were necessary to restore stability to the university.

“The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, emphasized that urgent measures were needed to prevent further deterioration of the situation at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, as the illegal decisions taken by the Governing Council posed a significant risk of further destabilizing the institution,” the statement added.

The Ministry also announced plans to appoint an Acting Vice-Chancellor and constitute a new Governing Council for the university.

“In accordance with the university’s founding act, an Acting Vice-Chancellor will be appointed, and a new Governing Council for the university will be constituted as soon as possible to ensure proper governance and adherence to the law,” the statement concluded.

 

 

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