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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the implementation of 35 per cent and 23 per cent of salary increment for staff of all federal tertiary institutions.
This is as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has described the government’s gesture as a far cry from what the university lecturers were negotiating for.
In a letter dated September 14, and addressed to the Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, the Chief Executive Officer of the Salaries, Income and Wages Commission, Ekpo U. Nta, said the federal government had issued a circular on the implementation of the adjusted salary structure.
The letter by Nta, on September 14, 2023 shortly before Professor Mamman’s departure to the United Nations General Assembly in New York, states: “RE: Implementation of the 35% and 23.5% salary increment for staff of tertiary institutions. I refer to your letter No. FME/IS/UNI/ASUU/C.I/IT?/90 dated 8th September 2023 in respect of the above-subject. Find attached the circulars pertaining to the four salary structures in the Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education for your information (attached).
“The 23.5% earlier reflected in our letter SWC/S/04/S.149/I/59 of 28 July 2022 and stated in paragraph 2 of your letter, has been increased to 25% which accounted for the increased cost implications. This Commission is really pleased with the success your informal discussions have achieved. We shall endeavour to support all your efforts aimed at repositioning the education sector. Please accept the assurances of my warm regards.”
Following this, the commission proceeded to issue a circular also dated September 14, 2023 and addressed to the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Office of the Accountant General of the Federation among others informing them of the implementation of the newly reviewed salaries.
The circular reads, “ The Presidential Committee on Salaries at its 13th meeting having taken into consideration the various stages of collective bargaining in various sectors, and specifically engagements between the Federal Ministry of Education and Tertiary Institutions-based Unions, and consequent upon the federal government’s approval, as well as 2023 budgetary provisions, approval is hereby conveyed for the revision of the Consolidated Polytechnics and Colleges of Education Salary Structure for academic staff of Federal Polytechnics and Colleges of Education, with effect from 1st January 2023.”
Also, a letter from the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation dated September 21, 2023 confirmed the increment.
The letter which was signed on behalf of the Director, Human Resource of the office, Ajanaku F.O, reads, “I am directed to inform you that the Presidential Committee on Salaries at its 13th meeting having taken into consideration the different stages of collective bargaining in various sectors and specifically engagements between the Federal Ministry of Education and Tertiary Institutions-based Unions and consequently the federal government’s approval, is hereby conveyed as revised for the following:-
“Consolidated Polytechnics and Colleges of Education Salary Structure for Academic Staff of Federal Polytechnics and Colleges of Education with effect from 1st January, 2023.
“Consolidated Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure II for non-Academic Staff of Federal Universities, with effect from 1st January, 2023.
“Consolidated Tertiary Education Institutions Salary Structure for non – Academic Staff of Federal Polytechnics and Colleges of Education, with effect from 1st January, 2023.
“Consolidated University Academic Salary Structure II (CONUASS II) for Academic Staff of Federal University with effect from 1st January, 2023.”
ASUU President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke who spoke to THISDAY on telephone yesterday said that the union was yet to formally receive the circular for the wage increase.
“It’s a wage award but we have not seen the circular. I only saw it in the media and that wasn’t what we were negotiating for,” he said.
Though nothing was said about the withheld salaries of the academics and non-academics who embarked on strike in 2022, our correspondent learnt that the Minister of Education earlier wrote the Chairman of the NSIWC, Nta, to demand the status of the collective.
The decision of the minister to write the NSIWC might not be unconnected with visitations by some of the academic unions and intervention by some pressure groups.
When asked if polytechnic lecturers were aware of the new development, the National President of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, Dr. Anderson Ezeibe, said the union heard of the news and was looking forward to the implementation.
“Definitely, we heard of it and we are looking forward to it. There will be 25 per cent increment for junior lecturers while chief lecturers and professors will benefit from 35 per cent increment,” he said.
Thisdaylive
