Non-inclusion of NASU, SAANU in negotiation raises fresh concerns

The negotiation team to review the 2009 agreement between the Federal Government and university-based unions may snowball into an industrial crisis as non-teaching unions have kicked against the move.

The General Secretary of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), Peter Adeyemi, who gave this indication in Abuja at the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the union, said choosing to raise a negotiation team with the academic staff union and excluding the non-academic staff unions will lead to a protracted industrial crisis.

The inauguration of the renegotiation committee of the 2009 agreements with universities-based unions took place in Abuja last week Tuesday.

Adeyemi observed that starting with the reference letter of the invitation bore the name of the academic staff union.

He also alleged that the event appeared to have been primarily focused on ASUU with the other unions seemingly included as an after-thought as the Minister of Education’s inauguration speech centred almost entirely on ASUU, with only brief and cursory mentions of the other unions.

“To confirm our fears, at the venue of the inauguration, the two unions witnessed a most humiliating experience where the President of ASUU was placed on what was referred to as the ‘responsibility table, and the presidents of other unions looked on from their positions of ‘irresponsibility.’ From the proceeding, it was obvious that NASU and SSANU were only invited as mere spectators to give a semblance of legitimacy and acceptability to an already concluded renegotiation exercise,” he stated.

Adeyemi alleged that the President of ASUU alone was invited to respond on behalf of other unions without consultation and he ended up speaking on behalf of his union, which showed that the opinions and experiences of other unions do not matter in the renegotiation.

Adeyemi maintained that the proceedings of the entire inauguration showed the imbalance of relationship and the obvious unfair treatment that would be meted out to NASU and SSANU if the renegotiation process continues in this manner.

Adeyemi added: “Consequently, the Joint Action Committee of NASU and SSANU hereby condemns the entire charade that took place in the name of an inauguration as it signals a potential bias in favour of academic staff in the upcoming negotiations, to the detriment of non-teaching staff and therefore expresses our misgivings about the process of the inauguration.”

In his address at the NEC meeting, the National President of the union, Dr Hassan Makoko decried the parlous outlook of libraries at the state level.

The NASU chief accused state governors of abandoning their libraries, which has grave implications for the welfare of the workers.

“The state governments have refused to fund their libraries adequately and, in some cases are yet to put in place modern libraries.

Salaries of staff of the state libraries in some instances are not paid as and when due which is why NASU has advocated that the salaries of staff of the state libraries should be paid through the same system that the salaries of the civil servants in the states are paid so that the staff of the state libraries can also receive their salaries, allowances and other incentives that are due to them in a similar manner the civil servants in the states are paid,” he said.

NASU maintained that addressing development issues is crucial for Nigeria’s long-term progress and stability.

Makolo added: “Tackling insecurity is essential to restoring peace, which is a foundation for economic development and social cohesion. Likewise, combating corruption will improve governance, attract foreign investment and enhance public trust in institutions.

“Economic reforms focused on job creation, inflation control and infrastructure will foster growth and reduce poverty. Investment in healthcare and education is critical to nurturing a skilled and healthy population, capable of driving innovation and productivity.”

Also, at the occasion, the Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Professor Aisha Maikudi, who was a special guest, called for adequate recognition of the work done by the non-teaching staff in the universities and other higher institutions.

Maikudi observed that while much focus is often given to the academic faculty, it is important to recognize that the smooth operation of any educational institution depends on the hard work, commitment, and efficiency of non-academic staff.

She said: “From administrative duties to ensuring our campuses are conducive for learning, research, and innovation, your contribution is essential to the success of the university system and education. At the University of Abuja, we acknowledge the vital role that non-academic staff play. The stability and growth we have experienced over the years are largely due to the collaborative efforts between academic and non-academic staff.”