The Nasarawa State Government has been cautioned by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Nasarawa State University chapter, Keffi (NSUK) branch, that if urgent staff welfare issues are not addressed, industrial action may result.
Abdulmumini Loko, the branch chairperson, told reporters on Thursday that the briefing was required to highlight persistent issues that have not been addressed despite numerous interactions with the authorities.
He warned that if immediate action is not taken to address the union’s demands, especially the payment of unpaid entitlements, the situation might worsen.
If the Nasarawa State Government does not promptly settle all outstanding arrears and address our demands, industrial harmony cannot be guaranteed,” Loko stated.
The union’s demands include better funding for the university, the payment of professorial allowances, and the immediate implementation of a 40% salary increase previously agreed upon with the federal government.
In addition, the union demanded that arrears related to the N70,000 minimum wage and the N35,000 wage award be settled, along with arrears of Earned Academic Allowance and unpaid salary increases of 25% and 35%.
Furthermore, ASUU called on the state government to establish visitation panels on a regular basis, enforce the authorized retirement age for professors, domesticate the contributory pension plan, ensure timely remittance of its counterpart funding, and ensure that retired professors receive their full salaries as pensions.
Loko cautioned that ignoring these problems could have a detrimental effect on the university system, pointing to dangers like deteriorating staff welfare, increased brain drain, disruption of academic activities, and declining educational standards.
He did, however, point out that members were becoming more and more irritated while reiterating the union’s preference for communication.
Our members’ patience is limited, even though we are still open to discussion and productive interaction,” he stated.
He went on to say that if the government does nothing, the union may be forced to take legal action to defend its members’ rights and uphold the integrity of the university system.
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