The National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) has given the Federal Government a 21-day ultimatum to address several outstanding issues, including the payment of over five and a half months of withheld salaries, or its members will withdraw their services from universities nationwide. This ultimatum was issued following the union’s 56th National Executive Council meeting held in Taraba State.
In a letter addressed to the Minister of State for Labour and Employment and signed by the association’s president, Ibeji Nwokoma, NAAT warned the government of the impending industrial action if no concrete steps are taken within the stipulated period. The letter, dated September 30, 2024, emphasized that the union would not be held responsible if the government fails to fulfill its obligations.
The letter, titled “Notice of 21-Day Ultimatum to Embark on Industrial Action,” was also copied to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the National Universities Commission (NUC), underscoring the gravity of the situation and the involvement of other stakeholders in the dispute.
“The leadership of the National Association of Academic Technologists wishes to draw your attention to the above subject matter,” the letter began. It went on to state that the union was compelled to issue the ultimatum due to the government’s failure to honor promises made regarding the payment of the withheld salaries of NAAT members, despite a presidential directive issued over five months ago.
NAAT also cited other unresolved issues that have been long-standing, including the payment of arrears of minimum wage for members omitted from April 2019 to January 2020, as well as the payment of arrears relating to 25% and 35% salary increases for the period from January to December 2023. Furthermore, the union expressed concern over inadequate infrastructure in universities, including dilapidated laboratories, workshops, and obsolete equipment.
“The honourable minister is to note that upon the expiration of the three-week ultimatum, and without any positive results from the government, the union will be forced to commence industrial action without further notice,” the letter stated. The ultimatum began on September 30 and will end on October 21, 2024.
It is worth recalling that NAAT initiated an industrial strike on March 21, 2022, which lasted until August 2022. The strike ended after a series of meetings convened by the then Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, and a resolution was reached on August 17, 2022. However, the union lamented that many of the issues that triggered the 2022 strike remain unresolved.
One of the most pressing concerns for NAAT is the non-conclusion of the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/NAAT Agreement, a matter that has been hanging in the balance for years. Additionally, the union has raised alarms over the lack of funds for upgrading public universities’ laboratories, workshops, and studios, which they claim are outdated and inadequate for modern academic needs.
NAAT’s president, Ibeji Nwokoma, further noted in a statement that the Federal Government had invoked the controversial ‘No-Work-No-Pay’ policy during the previous strike, a move which the union rejected, asserting that all due processes under the Trade Union Act had been followed. This policy resulted in NAAT members being owed five and a half months in salary arrears.
“In March 2024, a sister union was paid four months’ arrears of withheld salaries, while NAAT members were not compensated,” Nwokoma added. He stressed that despite several efforts to resolve the matter through dialogue, the government had failed to meet its commitments, leaving the union with no choice but to escalate the issue further.
Peace OdekunleOctober 7, 20242 Mins read
