FG releases funds to settle NASU salaries, retirees’ benefits

The administration of President Bola Tinubu has disbursed funds to clear outstanding salaries owed to members of the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) in Federal Universities.

According to reports, the released funds will also cover benefits for retirees under the Nigerian Union of Pensioners Contributory Pension Scheme. This development was confirmed on Saturday in a statement by Bawa Mokwa, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.

The statement noted that payments to NASU members have begun, with many already confirming receipt of their salaries.

The statement read, “The Federal Government has released funds for payment of withheld salary of Non-Academic Staff Union of Federal Universities.

“According to the OAGF, the Federal Government has also released funds for payment of benefits to retirees under the Nigerian Union of Pensioners Contributory Pension Scheme Sector.

“The OAGF said payments to the Non-Academic Staff of Federal Universities had commenced and many have confirmed receipt.”

The OAGF has reiterated the Federal Government’s dedication to the well-being of Nigerian workers and retirees.

On Monday, the Joint Action Committee of SSANU and NASU initiated an indefinite strike due to the non-payment of salaries for the past four months.

Consequently, university operations nationwide have been severely disrupted.

In a previous interview with The PUNCH on Wednesday, Mr. Mohammed Ibrahim, the National President of SSANU, indicated that university officials, including vice-chancellors, bursars, and registrars, have not received their salaries for four months.

He emphasized that the universities would remain entirely closed until the outstanding payments were addressed.

According to reports, the Federal Government had earlier urged the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) to end their strike.

This appeal was made by Dr. Yusuf Sununu, the outgoing Minister of State for Education, who led discussions with union leaders on Thursday on behalf of the new Education Minister, Dr. Tunji Alaussa.

Sununu was reassured that measures were being implemented to resolve the grievances that had led to the strike.

Public universities across Nigeria have been closed since Monday as NASU and SSANU commenced an indefinite strike over the government’s non-release of four months’ withheld salaries from 2022.