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.