Pay our N50bn outstanding earned allowances – SSANU.
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has called on the Federal Government to pay the N50 billion unpaid earned allowances to universities and inter-university centers across the country.
This call was made by Mohammed Ibrahim, the SSANU National President, following the 43rd Regular National Executive Council meeting held in Katsina on Sunday, March 1.
“This promise is now overdue. Government is therefore urged to keep to their word and not to renege on their promises to avoid industrial dispute in the system,” he said.
The NEC meeting observed that the payment of the outstanding N50 billion earned allowance to university staff has been long overdue, and it has caused a lot of hardship for the workers.
The earned allowances are payments due to academic and non-academic staff for extra work done, such as teaching and research.
The non-payment of earned allowances has been a major issue affecting the welfare of university workers in Nigeria, and this has led to several strikes by various unions in the past. The SSANU National President noted that the payment of earned allowances is essential for the smooth running of universities, and it will also help to boost the morale of workers.
According to him, NEC called for the payment of arrears of the New National Minimum Wage for some of her members who either have been paid or were yet to be fully paid.
It is important to note that the Federal Government had earlier released N40 billion for the payment of earned allowances to universities, but there is still an outstanding N50 billion that is yet to be paid.
The SSANU National President called on the government to urgently release the outstanding payment, as it will go a long way in addressing the challenges faced by university workers.
“Statutorily, Council is the highest and final decision-making organ in any university. Some overzealous agents are trying however to truncate this process.
“Promotion in the system ends with the Councils of Universities, where a representative of the Federal Ministry of Education is also a member.
“Councils of Universities should be allowed to do their work devoid of interference by the Office of the Head of Service or any external agents for that matter.
“NEC clearly says no to the usurpation of the powers of Council in relation to the promotion of our members in universities and Inter-University Centres.
“It is poised to take all legal means to ensure that our members are not subjected to obnoxious policies,’’ he said.
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