The National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) is preparing to launch a nationwide strike due to the Federal Government’s failure to pay five months of salaries owed to its members. This decision comes as the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) continue their indefinite strike over similar salary issues.
NAAT has tentatively scheduled the strike to begin on November 14, 2024, and has not notified the Federal Government, which they claim has repeatedly ignored their demands. NAAT President, Comrade Ibeji Nwokoma, confirmed the plan during a press conference at the Nigeria Labour Congress headquarters in Abuja.
Nwokoma expressed disappointment that despite President Bola Tinubu’s approval to pay the outstanding salaries, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy has failed to implement this decision. He criticized the government for its lack of commitment to resolving these issues and addressing the hardships faced by NAAT members.
Nwokoma stated, “It is unfortunate that our efforts, including letters, protests, and previous agreements with the Federal Government, have not led to any positive outcomes, especially the last ultimatum that was ignored.” He described the government’s inaction as highly insensitive.
In response, NAAT has given the Federal Government an additional two-week ultimatum starting October 30, 2024. The National Executive Council (NEC) has instructed branches across universities, polytechnics, and colleges to conduct nationwide protests to highlight their demands. During this period, branches will also hold meetings to decide whether to proceed with the strike if there is no government response by November 13.
If the government does not address their concerns by the end of the ultimatum, NAAT plans to initiate a nationwide protest leading to an indefinite strike. Nwokoma hopes the government will take this opportunity to resolve the issues and prevent disruption to the academic calendar, which could negatively impact research and practical education.
NAAT’s grievances include the non-payment of five and a half months of salaries, incomplete implementation of the 2009 FGN/NAAT Agreement, and the lack of circulars for implementing CONTISS 14 & 15 for academic technologists. Other issues involve unfulfilled allowances for student work experience, field trips, and staff ratios, along with the unresolved renegotiation of the 2009 Agreement and the non-payment of earned allowances. The group is also concerned about inadequate funding for upgrading university laboratories and the non-payment of minimum wage arrears for some members from April 2019 to January 2020.
NAAT plans a nationwide strike starting November 14, 2024, over the Federal Government’s failure to pay five months of salaries, amid ongoing protests by other academic staff unions.
