Education
NAAT Blames FG For Unpaid University Salaries, Warns Of Crisis
The release of four months’ withheld salaries exclusively to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has ignited controversy within the academic community.
The National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) is pointing fingers at the Federal Government, warning of a potential industrial crisis.
Recall that President Bola Tinubu had sanctioned the release of four months’ worth of withheld salaries for university-based unions that participated in the February to August 2022 strike.
The beneficiaries include ASUU, NAAT, SSANU, and NASU.
However, tension mounts as the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation reportedly initiates payment exclusively to ASUU, sidelining the other three unions from the financial resolution.
NAAT has strongly criticized the government’s selective approach and issued a directive for its branches to initiate immediate mobilization of members for a nationwide protest if the withheld salaries are not promptly paid.
The association’s President, Ibeji Nwokoma, conveyed in a statement on Sunday that the exclusion of NAAT members from the payment is deemed unfair and unjust.
The statement read: “The leadership of the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) is compelled to issue this press statement as a response to the worrisome information available to the Union on the selective payment by Government in the payment of withheld salaries to members of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), while excluding members of NAAT and two other University Based Unions (NASU & SSANU).
“This indeed is a recipe for industrial crisis and a total breakdown of academic activities at such a time peace was returning to our campuses. The federal Government should therefore be held responsible for any industrial disharmony due to their actions and inactions.
“It is important to draw the attention of the general public to the fact that, the struggle the Union embarked upon was for the betterment of University Education which was spearheaded by all the University Based Unions, National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Non Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU).
“Therefore, NAAT wonders the rationale behind the selective treatment. This is a calculated attempt to deny our members their entitlements and create disaffection within the system that will further plunge the Universities into more avoidable crises. These divide and rule tactics of the Government will not and must not be allowed to stand. Equity, fairness and justice should be the guiding principles expected of Federal Government.
“It is worthy to note that the Honourable Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, SAN at the high-level stakeholders meeting held at the NUC Auditorium on 11th January, 2024, where Vice-Chancellors, Union leaders and all stakeholders were present stated that nobody will be short-changed.
“He stated further that the approval by Mr. President on the payment of the withheld salaries covers all the University Based Unions and that Federal Government is determined to do everything humanly possible to avoid any disruption of academic activities in our campuses.
“Moreover, the laboratory/ workshop and studio work lost during the strike has been covered by Academic Technologists as students had since graduated and some completed the mandatory National Youth Service program.
“Meanwhile, NAAT National leadership has directed all Branches nationwide to commence sensitization and mobilisation in anticipation of a nationwide protest on a date to be announced soon, if these issues at stake are not adequately addressed.
“Lastly, NAAT once again, wishes to call on the general public, stakeholders and well- meaning Nigerians to intervene and prevail on the Federal Government to ensure payment of the withheld salaries in full and implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) of 17th August, 2022 signed freely by the then Honourable Minister of Education, Mal. Adamu Adamu on behalf of the Federal Government and NAAT for a sustainable industrial harmony.”
In a bid to restore industrial harmony in universities, NAAT has formally written to the Minister of Education, urging prompt intervention.
The letter seeks the minister’s involvement to address the ongoing issue and safeguard the existing level of industrial peace within the academic institutions.
The letter partly reads “The leadership of the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) commends the good efforts of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR in repositioning the Country towards economic growth and prosperity through the Renewed Hope Agenda and his commitment towards uplifting the Educational sector through infrastructural and human capital development, especially with regard to recent release of about Six Hundred and Thirty Billion Naira (N630bn) only intervention to Universities and other Tertiary Institutions, as approved by the President and announced by the Executive Secretary of TETFund.
“The leadership of NAAT wishes to state that information available to us as a Union, indicates that Federal Government directed the Office of Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) to effect payment of the withheld salaries to ONLY members of a sister Union to the exclusion of members of NAAT and two other University Based Unions.
“It should be noted that at the high-level stakeholders meeting held on the 11th January, 2024 at the National Universities Commission (NUC) Auditorium, on the modalities, of exiting from IPPIS, one of the major highlights and take-home message was the statement made by Honourable Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, SAN to the effect that all arrangements were concluded by Federal Government on the payment of withheld salties to all members of University Based Unions in Federal Universities and the implementation of the new salary structure of 25% and 35% salary increase for all workers in Educational Tertiary Institutions to the delight of everybody present including the Vice-chancellors and the Union leaders.
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.
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“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.
The organizers of Africa Tech Alliance Forum [AfriTECH 4.0] have announced the distinguished lineup of speakers for this year’s Forum themed: “Leapfrogging Digital Transformation for Future of Africa’s Economy”.
Scheduled to hold on Thursday, November 07, 2024 at Oriental Hotels, Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria, AfriTECH 4.0 [https://africatechallianceforum.africa/] will bring together leading voices in technology, telecommunications, ecommerce, software, finance, emerging technologies and government to explore key innovations and challenges shaping Africa’s digital transformation.
AfriTECH has become one of Africa’s most anticipated technology events, and the 2024 edition will feature a stellar lineup of industry experts, innovators, and policymakers who will provide insights into how emerging technologies are propelling Africa’s digital economy.
Special Guests:
Dr. Aminu Maida, a distinguished leader in telecommunications and digital transformation, serves as the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
With over two decades of experience in the ICT sector, Maida has become a pivotal figure in driving Nigeria’s digital economy, overseeing regulatory frameworks and initiatives that foster innovation, investment, and inclusivity in Nigeria’s telecom industry.
Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, is a transformative leader in Nigeria’s technology landscape, currently serving as the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).
Under his guidance, NITDA has driven impactful initiatives supporting Nigeria’s digital economy, fostering innovation, digital skills development, and creating an enabling environment for tech startups and entrepreneurship.
He will deliver the keynote address at AfriTECH 4.0.
Professor Ibrahim Adepoju Adeyanju is the CEO of Galaxy Backbone, a key government-owned technology and digital infrastructure company. Under his leadership, Galaxy Backbone focuses on strengthening Nigeria’s digital ecosystem by providing secure and innovative ICT infrastructure to government agencies and businesses, supporting national development and e-governance initiatives.
Biram Fall, the Regional Managing Director, QNET, a leading e-commerce-based direct selling company.
In his role, Mr. Fall oversees QNET’s operations and growth strategies across several markets, focusing on enhancing regional reach and ensuring the company aligns with local business needs.
Known for his expertise in direct-selling and his commitment to sustainable business practices, Fall has been instrumental in expanding QNET’s footprint in Africa and other emerging markets.
Ebehijie Momoh is a renowned financial services leader with over 20 years of experience in banking and payment technology, currently serving as CEO of AfrigoPay Financial Services Limited, where she leads the company’s mission to provide innovative payment solutions across Africa.
With a background in financial services and a deep understanding of digital payments, Momoh brings extensive experience to her role, focusing on transforming the financial landscape through accessible, secure, and efficient payment systems.
Her leadership emphasizes financial inclusion, driving AfrigoPay’s efforts to reach underserved communities and promote economic empowerment across the continent.
Dr. Muhammed Sirajo Aliyu is a visionary leader in Nigeria’s information technology sector. He is the incumbent President of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), the foremost association of IT professionals in Nigeria.
With an extensive background in computer science, IT governance, and digital innovation, Dr. Aliyu brings over 25 years of experience to his role, where he champions the advancement of technology and professional development within Nigeria’s IT ecosystem.
Dr. Temitope Alakija, a renowned academic and statistician, is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Statistics at Yaba College of Technology [Yabatech] Lagos. With a deep expertise in data science, statistical analysis, and quantitative research, Dr. Alakija is dedicated to advancing the field of statistics and training future leaders in data-driven decision-making.
Holding a PhD in statistics and with numerous publications, Dr. Alakija’s research contributions have significantly influenced both academia and industry, particularly within Africa. Her commitment to academic excellence and her role in fostering a data-literate society make her a highly respected figure in the statistical community.
Adesola Akinsanya – President, Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA). Akinsanya brings decades of expertise to his role, where he advocates for technological innovation, professional growth, and policy advancement in Nigeria’s IT landscape..
Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON). Engr. Adebayo is a prominent figure in Nigeria’s telecommunications industry, with over 25 years of experience in telecom and ICT. He is known for his advocacy for industry development, regulatory reform, and the provision of accessible telecommunications services across Nigeria.
Tony Izuagbe Emoekpere – President, Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON). With an extensive background in telecom management, digital strategy, and regulatory advocacy, Emoekpere is dedicated to advancing Nigeria’s telecom industry and fostering an environment that promotes innovation, investment, and inclusivity.
Key Speakers for AfriTECH 4.0:
Engineer Ikechukwu Nnamani – CEO, Digital Realty (Nigeria). In his keynote presentation at AfriTECH 4.0, Engr. Nnamani is expected to share his expertise on building resilient telecommunications infrastructure to support Africa’s digital future.
For over 16 years under his leadership the Digital Realty datacenter in Lagos is rated the most interconnected facility in the West African sub-region being the number 1 peering point for the region and boosting all submarine cables in the region, long distance providers, metro fiber providers, mobile services providers, fixed services providers, OTT providers, Internet Exchange, VAS providers, and global Tier1 service providers, amongst others.
Other outstanding personalities confirmed as speakers include – Dr. Obadare Peter Adewale, Chief Visionary Officer, Digital Encode Limited; Mr. Emmanuel Amos, Founder – Programos Foundation/InnovationBed Africa; Chukwuebuka Ume-Ezeoke, Chief Technology Officer at CED Technologies; Dr. Oluseyi Akindeinde, Founder, Hyperspace Technologies; Happiness Obioha, Managing Director, Tecom Concepts Limited; Chukwuemeka Mbaebie, Convener, Lagos Blockchain Week; Akeem Ajisafe, Managing Director, Transblue Limited; Chika Nwosu, Managing Director, PalmPay; Jude Ozinegbe, Founder/Convener at Cyberchain; Mohammed Rudman, CEO, Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria [IXPN]; Dr. Ayotunde Coker, CEO Open Access Data Centres (OADC); Kehinde Ogundare, country manager, ZOHO [Nigeria]; Ayodeji Ogunmola, Director, Products Management at Northsnow Ltd; Oluwakayode Durodola, founder, Otuntech Limited; Lovelyn Okafor, Country Head, Nigeria at Newmark; Olaniyi Ibraheem, Business Development Manager (Africa) at UBankConnect; Adedamola Bowale, Co-founder & Technical Lead at Avancee Pinnacle, and Moniade Adeniyi, Product Innovation & Business Growth Strategist, Northsnow Ltd.
Meanwhile, innovationbed Africa is set to host “Startup Showcase” at AfriTECH, a session dedicating to startup finalists for this year’s United Nations World Summit Awards. Discussants include – David-Bobola Ojoawo, the Producer for Compas.AI; Stephen Adeyemo of Expertplug; Siro Collins, CEO of Advanced Engineering Center (AEC), WSA Winner 2023; Elijah Moses, Producer for VerionX; Rasheed Aliu Producer for LOOPBOX; Musami Umar Musam, founder of RollMal; David Ezeonyekwere, the founder of CheapMarketDeal, and Sule Wisdom David, the founder of CyclexAfrica.
QNET is the gold sponsor of AfriTECH 40. Silver Sponsors – Galaxy Backbone, Digital Realty, Digital Encode Ltd. Bronze Sponsors – CED Technologies, AfriGoPay, Tecom, Northsnow UK, Hyperspace Technologies, Palmpay, OADC.
Ecosystem Partners: NCC, NITDA,, InnovationBed Africa, ALTON, ATCON, NCS, IXPN, NiRA, Lagos Blockchain Week, Newmark Group, all are supporting AfriTECH 4.0.
Media Partners include; Techeconomy, NigeriaCommunicationsWeek, ITPulse, Ravenews, TechTrends.Africa, TechBuild.Africa, GrassRoots, DigiVation Network, TechLifewithUgo, BusinessMetrics, BusinessRemarks, SwiftReporters, TechTV, Africa Hyperscalers Media, CyberEra, ITRealms, DigitalTimes, TechnologyMirror, TechandBizNews, ITNewsNigeria.
“AfriTECH 4.0 will also feature interactive panel discussions, workshops, and exhibitions that will explore other critical topics such as artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, fintech, smart cities, and sustainable innovation”, said Chike Onwuegbuchi, co-convener of AfriTECH. “We are grateful to the sponsors and partners”.
“Attendees will have the opportunity to engage directly with the speakers, as well as network with other industry leaders, innovators, and investors”, he added.
Participation
Participation is free, but you are required to pre-register: https://bit.ly/3ZPdi88
Covenant University (CU) has once again emerged as Nigeria’s top university in the Times Higher Education (THE) 2025 Rankings, reinforcing its position as a leader in the nation’s academic landscape.
This is the second consecutive year that Covenant University has claimed the top spot.
In a significant shift in the 2025 rankings, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, secured second place, overtaking the University of Ibadan, which held the position in the 2024 rankings.
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Other Nigerian institutions in the top five include Landmark University, University of Ibadan, and University of Lagos.
The Times Higher Education World University Rankings, an annual publication, is one of the most comprehensive assessments of global higher education institutions.
For the 2025 rankings, more than 2,000 universities from 115 countries and territories were evaluated.
The ranking system uses 18 performance indicators to measure universities’ achievements across five core areas: teaching, research environment, research quality, industry engagement, and international outlook.
Globally, the University of Oxford maintained its dominant position for the ninth year in a row, followed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), which rose to second place.
Harvard, Princeton, and the University of Cambridge rounded out the top five.
Stanford University, which had previously held the second position, dropped to sixth place this year.
Top 10 Universities Globally in 2025:
1. University of Oxford
2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
3. Harvard University
4. Princeton University
5. University of Cambridge
6. Stanford University
7. California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
8. University of California, Berkeley
9. Imperial College London
10. Yale University
Top 22 Universities in Nigeria for 2025:
1. Covenant University
2. Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
3. Landmark University
4. University of Ibadan
5. University of Lagos
6. Bayero University
7. Federal University of Technology, Akure
8. Federal University of Technology, Minna
9. University of Benin
10. University of Ilorin
11. University of Nigeria, Nsukka
12. Ekiti State University
13. Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta
14. Federal University of Technology, Owerri
15. Federal University of Oye-Ekiti
16. Ladoke Akintola University of Technology
17. Lagos State University
18. Nnamdi Azikiwe University
19. Obafemi Awolowo University
20. University of Port Harcourt
21. Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto
22. Abia State University
Covenant University’s consistent performance highlights its growing reputation in teaching and research, further solidifying its role as a hub for academic excellence in Nigeria and Africa.
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