FG Faces Backlash as Promises of Salary Increments, Withheld Salaries Remain Unfulfilled
Abdulbasit Abdulkareem
The Federal Government's pledge made in October 2022 to increase salaries by 35% for academic and 25% for non-academic staff in tertiary institutions across Nigeria is yet to be realized. The then Education Minister, Mallam Adamu Adamu, announced these increments, but the promised improvements have not been materialized, leaving many university employees disillusioned.
President Tinubu, a few months ago, directed the payment of four out of the eight months of withheld salaries and the announced salary increments. However, this directive remains unimplemented, adding to the frustrations of the academic community.
Fast forward to October 2023, the current Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, declared that payments for the revitalization of tertiary institutions were underway. The Federal Government again, through the National Salaries, Wages, and Income Commission, approved a 35% salary increment for academic staff and 25% for non-academic staff, with a slight adjustment for junior staff.
President Tinubu further approved a partial waiver of the no-work-no-pay order for striking members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other academic unions. This move was aimed at releasing four months' worth of withheld salaries, a gesture recognized as an invocation of the presidential prerogative of mercy.
However, as of today, many university employees claim they have not received any payment or confirmation of the promised funds. Dr. Usman Solomon Ayegba from OAU expressed his disappointment, stating, "FG sometime in October last year promised to pay us 4 months out of our 8 months withheld salaries but has not fulfilled that promise. I am not aware if it had since I haven't got an alert in that regard nor hear from any colleague who has."
Similar sentiments were echoed by Dr. Yahya Tajudeen from the Federal University of Benin Kebbi (FUBK), who said, "I haven't received the 4-month withheld salaries promised by FG and the 35% salary award increment."
Even prominent figures like Prof. Abdelghaffar Amoka from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) have taken to social media platforms to voice their concerns. Prof. Amoka's Facebook post criticized the delay in implementing the promised salary increments and withheld salary payments, urging the government to fulfill its commitments. In his words, he stated, "FG should let lecturers breathe. President Tinubu a few months ago ordered the payment of 4 of the 8 months withheld salaries and the 25% and 35% salary increments and they are yet to implement that to date."
In the comment section of the Facebook post, someone suggested that the issue be discussed on a platform referred to as "X," highlighting the belief that government responsiveness is greater on that platform.
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