SSANU, NASU Reject ‘Unjust’ Distribution Of FG’s ₦50bn For Varsity Unions
The Joint Action Committee of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Allied Institutions (NASU) have rejected the Federal Government’s distribution formula for the ₦50 billion allocated to university-based unions.
The ₦50 billion will be split by SSANU, NASU, and the National Association of Academic Technologists. However, in a statement, the non-academic unions voiced dismay that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) received 80% of the allotment, leaving only 20% for SSANU, NASU, and NAAT.
“This lopsided system is fundamentally unfair, provocative, and absolutely unacceptable, with the potential to create industrial strife and exacerbate the teaching/non-teaching split in Nigerian colleges. “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 university system,” according to a statement.
The unions also stated that “the latest attempt to diminish our role and worth through this inequitable distribution is an injustice that we will not tolerate in silence.”
“We want to emphasise that this is not a battle for supremacy among unions.” Rather, it is about fairness, acknowledgement, and equitable treatment for all workers who constitute the backbone of Nigeria’s university system.
“A happy and productive academic environment requires that all stakeholders be treated with dignity, equity, and justice.“It is unnecessary to remind the government of the critical and vital responsibilities that non-teaching staff have played (and will continue to play) in strengthening Nigeria’s university system.
The government and its agencies recognise SSANU and NASU’s vital contributions to safeguarding the stability, functionality, and excellence of our universities.
“Their decisions should, therefore, reflect this understanding and uphold the principles of equity and justice.” SSANU and NASU urged the Federal Government to immediately review and reverse the recommended allocation formula, warning that proceeding with the distribution will only breed avoidable resentment and cause widespread industrial disharmony, which they said the university system cannot afford at this time.
“SSANU and NASU are united in seeking justice, fairness, and recognition of our proper place in the academic community. “We will not fold our arms as our rights are violated and our members are treated with contempt.” “The time to correct this injustice is now–a stitch in time saves nine!” the statement said.