The Congress of University Academics (CONUA) has called on the Federal Government to settle outstanding salaries, promotion arrears, and other benefits owed to its members. This demand was made in a communiqué issued at the end of CONUA’s second National Executive Council meeting held in Benin.
Dr. Niyi Sunmonu, President of the union, expressed concern over the three and a half months of unpaid salaries for its members. This issue traces back to the Academic Staff Union of Universities’ (ASUU) eight-month strike in February 2022, which led the Federal Government to withhold seven and a half months of salaries under a “no work no pay” rule. Although ASUU challenged this decision, the National Industrial Court upheld the policy in 2023.
President Bola Tinubu approved the payment of four months’ salaries for ASUU members after negotiations. However, CONUA maintained that it did not participate in the strike and therefore, its members’ withheld salaries are unjust.
“The government’s decision to lump together those who struck and those who did not is unjust and punishes the innocent along with the guilty,” the communiqué stated. “This promotes the use of strikes as a means to pursue workers’ demands.”
CONUA also demanded the release of third-party deductions for March to June 2022 salaries, withheld due to the strike. The union called for immediate payment of promotion arrears, some spanning up to seven years, particularly in state universities, as well as the payment of Earned Academic Allowance arrears. Additionally, CONUA urged for a review of the 2014 Pension Act and an end to discrimination by TETFUND.
The union also called on the Federal Government to collaborate with relevant university departments to generate electricity and grant special status to universities on electricity tariffs.
Regarding the national situation, CONUA expressed concern over the hardships Nigerians face following the removal of the fuel subsidy on May 29, 2023. The union urged President Tinubu to expedite measures promised to alleviate the suffering of the people.
“We urge the President to expedite action on those measures,” the communiqué concluded.
