Trouble Brews In ASUU, SSANU Camps Over N50bn Sharing Formula

What sharing formula should be adopted over the N50 billion Earned Allowances recently approved by the Federal Government for university based unions?

This has now become the big question given that trouble is already brewing in the midst of the unions – Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU); the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU)

As it stands, the JAC of SSANU and NASU are raising the alarm that 80 percent of the money has been allocated to ASUU leaving a paltry 20 percent to the other three unions to share.

They stated their opposition to this sharing formula in a statement yesterday titled: “Unjust distribution of the approved N50 billion for university unions,” signed by the JAC Chairman and President of SSANU, Comrade Mohamed Ibrahim and the General Secretary of NASU, Prince Peters Adeyemi.

According to them, the sharing formula adopted by ASUU is unfair to the other unions.

“The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) expresses its deep displeasure, outrage and firm rejection of the recent distribution formula adopted for the disbursement of the N50 billion Naira approved by the Federal Government for University based unions.

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“We have received, with utter disappointment, the information that 80% of the sum has been allocated solely to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), while the remaining 20% is expected to be shared among SSANU, NASU and NAAT.

“This lopsided arrangement is grossly unfair, provocative, totally unacceptable, and capable of creating industrial disharmony, thereby further accentuating the teaching/non-teaching dichotomy in Nigerian Universities.

“Non-Teaching staff of Nigeria Universities are not second-class citizens but are critical stakeholders who contribute immensely to the day-to-day functioninality, administrative efficiency, research excellence, technical operations, and overall development of the Nigerian Universities system.”

“We wish to make it clear that this is not a contest of supremacy among unions. Rather, it is about fairness, recognition, and the equitable treatment of all workers who form the backbone of the Nigerian University system,” they said.

Any sharing formula to be adopted in allocating the earned allowances, they contented, should take cognizance of their essential contributions to the nation’s educational sector.

“It is unnecessary to remind the government of the essential and pivotal roles played by Non-Teaching staff (and which we will continue to play) in stabilising the Nigeria University system.

“The Government and its agencies are fully aware of the invaluable contributions of SSANU and NASU in ensuring the stability, functionality and excellence of our Universities.

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“Their decisions should, therefore, reflect this understanding and uphold the principles of equity and justice.

“We strongly urge the Federal Government to immediately review and reverse the recommended allocation formula, as going ahead with this unfair distribution will only breed avoidable resentment and trigger widespread industrial disharmony something the University system can ill afford at this critical time.

“SSANU and NASU stand united in demanding justice, fairness, and a recognition of our rightful place in the University community.

“We will not fold our arms while our rights are trampled and our members are treated with disdain.

“The time to correct this injustice is now a stitch in time saves nine!,” the statement concluded.