In a show of displeasure over the federal government’s eight-month pay delay, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) chapter, has ordered its members to withhold the results of students’ examinations.
In addition, the university lecturers’ union instructed its members to immediately abstain from departmental, faculty, and Senate council meetings that were intended to approve student test results until the compensation issue was resolved.
To protest not being paid their salaries, the teachers marched around the school’s grounds while holding placards. We say no to government intimidation, “Kill education, kill the nation,” “No pay, no results,” and “Lecturers are not casual workers,” among other statements were written on the placards.
Speaking to newsmen after their protest at the school premises, the chapter Chairman, Dr. Christian Opata, insisted that members are not happy with the half salary payment to them when the strike action was called off last month. He said: “We will continue to teach, but will not release results of exams or allow school Senate to seat and approve any result.
“ASUU is saying no to government policy of ‘no work, no pay;’ but if government insists on the policy, ASUU will not handle any academic activity that falls within that eight months period.
“ASUU wants government to honour its agreement with the union since 2009, and stop further attempt that will keep students away from school.”
Opata described, as unfortunate, the attempt by government to treat lecturers as labourers by using the so-called ‘pro-rata’ format to pay them their October salary.
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“This is the first time in history of the country when university academic staff are paid as casual workers; an indication that the current administration has no regard for education,” he said.
He threatened that ASUU is determined to embark on what will be known in Nigeria’s history as “mother of all strikes” should government fail to do the needful.
“If government thinks that implementing its policy of ‘no work, no pay’ and withholding our salary will prevent us from embarking on strike again, then it is a big joke. If government fails to do the needful soon, ASUU will return to indefinite strike action in public universities,” he added.
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