The Federal Government (FG), has directed the vice-chancellors of public universities and inter-varsity centres to ensure there is no salary for striking ASUU lecturers.
In the memo by the National Universities Commission to universities’ VCs which was signed by the Director, Research, Information and Technology, Dr S. B Ramon-Yusuf, Vice Chancellors were directed to enforce the no-work-no-pay rule on the lecturers who are on strike, as payment of salaries from any other sources would be viewed as violation of extant rules and government’s directive.
The memo partly read;
“In view of the current Industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, the Federal Government has directed that there shall be no payment of any form of salaries and allowances to the staff on strike in federal and inter-varsity centres.
“Consequently, I am to direct vice-chancellors to apply the “No-work-no-pay” rule. However, universities and inter-varsity centres are to pay salaries and allowances to non-teaching staff. All Vice-Chancellors and Directors of Centers should note that the salaries to staff on strike from whatever source of funds shall be viewed as violation of extant rules and directive of the Federal Government of Nigeria.”
Chairman of the University of Ibadan chapter of ASUU, Dr. Deji Omole who reacted to the FG directive of no salary for striking ASUU lecturers, stated that it was shameful that the Nigerian government owe lecturers seven years of unpaid salaries and allowances and still want them to continue to work while the Presidency and the National Assembly members feed fat on the wealth of the nation.
The ASUU chairman who stated that the military government tried unsuccessfully to intimidate the collective will of Nigerian masses, added that a government that prides itself as having integrity should honour agreements reached with the union instead of resulting to harassment and intimidation of union members on a patriotic struggle to save public education in the country.