ASUU Blames Ngige Over Half Salary Payment

The Academic Staff Union of Universities on Thursday claimed that the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige instigated their half-salary payment.

ASUU President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, said this in an interview with The Nation where he equally accused the government of treating Nigerian scholars as casual workers.

Osodeke insisted that Ngige personally wrote to the Accountant-General of the Federation and asked the OAGF to pay ASUU members half salary for October.

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Osodeke said:

“Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, personally wrote that they should pay us half salary; treat us like casual workers.”

The minister, on his part, said the university lecturers were paid half salaries for working for only 15 days.

Ngige had said:

“Anybody who worked for a full month will receive full salary for the full month. If you worked half a month, you will receive a half month salary. That is how it is.

“ASUU members were paid half salaries for working for 15 days in October.”

The union explained that it suspended the strike in line with the order of the Court of Appeal and National Industrial Court, and deference to appeals by President Muhammadu Buhari and in recognition of the efforts of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, and other well-meaning Nigerians.

The union thereafter directed its members to resume all services from Friday, October 14, 2022.

In a statement issued at the end of the meeting and signed by ASUU President, Prof Emmanuel Osodeke, the union however regretted the failure of the government to satisfactorily address all issues in dispute.

The University of Jos Chapter of ASUU on Thursday directed its members to stay at home until their salaries withheld by the Federal Government were paid.

The ASUU president said the union would meet next week and respond appropriately.