The National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) has strongly criticized the Federal Government for what it described as a biased and discriminatory plan to disburse Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) solely to members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
In a communique released after its 58th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held from April 9 to 10, 2025, NAAT expressed deep concern over a letter signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Mr. Abel O. Enitan. The letter revealed plans to release N50 billion for the payment of EAA to university staff but made specific reference only to ASUU.
NAAT described the move as a betrayal of trust and a serious threat to industrial peace within the university system. The union demanded that the letter addressed to ASUU be withdrawn immediately and called for an emergency meeting between the Minister of Education and all four university-based unions to agree on a fair and inclusive disbursement process.
“This selective payment approach is not only unfair but could plunge our campuses into chaos,” NAAT President, Comrade Ibeji Nwokoma, stated.
The union also recalled a meeting held on January 23, 2025, where NAAT and other unions had corrected a similar claim by the Minister that the N50 billion provision in the 2025 budget was intended exclusively for ASUU.
NAAT warned that if the Federal Government fails to address their concerns and ensure fairness in the disbursement of allowances, it could lead to a total shutdown of university activities across the country.
