BREAKING: We were only paid half salaries – ASUU

The Academic Staff Union of Universities(ASUU) has said that, the Federal Government only paid them for 18 working days in the mont of October, as gathered by The Punch.

Lecturers and senior members of ASUU, who spoke under strict confidence noted that the government only paid half salaries.

Speaking with our correspondent, a senior member of the National Executive Council, said, “We were only paid for the days after the strike. I received a half salary. Other members are angry right now, they are blaming the NEC for calling off the strike.”

Another member, who confirmed the development, said, “Yes, it is true, I received half salary. It seems the government is set to kill unionism in the country but we are ready for them.”

Recall, that ASUU has been on strike since the 14th of February 2022, and the strike was called off on the 14th of October 2022, making it one of the longest industrial strike action undertaken by ASUU, since its formation

According to ASUU National President Emmanuel Osodeke, He said the eight months strike was called off following a court order and appeals from Nigerians.

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Osodeke disclosed this while appearing on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics.

“As you have seen from our press release – although there were interventions by the Speaker (Gbajabiamila) and others – the major reason we are resuming is because we are obeying the industrial court’s judgement. The issues have not been fully resolved and no agreements signed.

“We are resuming because we are a law-abiding organisation and we don’t want to break the law.

“We are also hoping that the intervention of the Speaker as promised by him will resolve this problem within a very short time. So, the issues have not been resolved but we would resume because of that court injunction.”

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A court of appeal had ordered ASUU to return to class after the National Industrial Court ruled against the union.

However, the ASUU National President also blamed the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, for the prolonged strike.

Osodeke stressed that negotiation was the best way to resolve trade disputes involving academics.

“But one of the ministers, the Minister of Labour, believes that the best way is to force them to class. But because of the interest of the Nigerian people – the students, their parents, and the Speaker who is intervening – our members will teach,” he added