ASUU VS. FG: A NEW CLASH OVER THE OCTOBER HALF SALARY IS IMMINENT

Just two weeks after the Academic Staff Union of Universities, or ASUU, ended its eight-month strike, a new round of crises is beginning to fester in Nigeria's public universities.

Following the Federal Government's payment of salaries to its members for only 18 working days in the month of October, the academics covered by ASUU on Monday were perplexed.

Recall that on October 14, 2022, the union put off its eight-month strike as a result of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, intervening.

According to MON DIARIES, the Nigerian government insisted on enforcing the "No Work, No Pay" policy during the time that university employees were absent from their assigned duties.

On Thursday, however, reports that the FG had broken its word as ASUU members had been given a half-month wage caused events to change course.

Under the condition of anonymity, a top ASUU member of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, verified this development to MON DIARIES.

He observed that the government only paid half wage for the month of October.

"The much I know, those who have called me said they were paid only for eighteen days for the month of October," he said.

Another academic staff member added: "Yes, I only received 18 working days salary, that's what they paid me; my colleague received the same."

The UNILAG chapter of the union described the development as "insensitive and disheartening" on its Twitter page.

The Union at Usmanu Danfodiyo University (UDU), Sokoto, has accused Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment, of attempting to sow discord among the union's members.

It was alleged that the university paid instructors' salary in a selective and biased manner, with some lecturers in the College of Public Health and Medicine receiving all outstanding compensation.

According to Ngige, these groups of employees didn't take part in the union's strike.

The current development may exacerbate the issue in the public universities amid low morale among the returning Union members.

ASUU has scheduled a national congress in all of its affiliates for next Tuesday to decide what course of action it will pursue.