Why We Paid Lecturers Half Salaries – FG

The Federal Government on Saturday explained the reason for half payment of salaries to varsity lecturers.

In a statement, by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, the government noted that members of ASUU were paid for the number of days they worked in October.

The statement clarified that the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, never directed the Accountant General of the Federation to pay the university lecturers half salaries.

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The statement reads in part, “Following the ruling of the Court of Appeal, which upheld the order of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, asking ASUU to go back to work, the leadership of the union wrote to the Minister, informing him that they have suspended the strike. The Federal Ministry of Education wrote to him in a similar vein and our labour inspectors in various states also confirmed that they have resumed work.

“So, the Minister wrote to the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and Planning, directing that their salaries should be restored. They were paid in pro-rata for the number of days that they worked in October, counting from the day that they suspended their industrial action. Pro-rata was done because you cannot pay them for work not done. Everybody’s hands are tied.”

Meanwhile, the ASUU National Executive Council, NEC, will on Monday hold a crucial meeting to deliberate on the next step to take, following the development.