Tertiary institutions may breathe a sigh of relief, as President Bola Tinubu has given the green light for a partial waiver of the “No Work, No Pay” rule that had been imposed on members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). It’s a promising development, even though it’s not a complete resolution.
ASUU had embarked on an eight-month strike that began on February 14, 2022, and came to an end on October 17, 2022. The then President, Muhammadu Buhari, had invoked the “no work, no pay” policy in an effort to encourage university teachers to return to their classrooms. However, this meant that the lecturers weren’t paid during the strike period.
But now, there’s a glimmer of hope for these educators. Presidential spokesman Ajuri Ngelale announced on Friday that a partial waiver has been granted.
This waiver, as Ajuri explained, “will enable the previously striking members of ASUU to receive four months of salary that had been withheld during the eight-month strike.”
The decision to grant this waiver was made by Tinubu, invoking the Principle of the Presidential Prerogative of Mercy. This act is seen as an attempt to ease the hardships faced during the implementation of crucial economic reforms in the country and acknowledges the faithful adherence to the terms agreed upon during negotiations between ASUU and the Federal Government of Nigeria.
However, there’s a catch. Tinubu has attached a mandatory requirement to this waiver. The Federal Ministry of Education and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment must establish a Document of Understanding, confirming that this special waiver is the last one to be granted to ASUU and all other education sector unions.
The state of the educational sector in Nigeria has been a subject of debate. Many argue that, in comparison to other countries, the pay may not be as substantial. However, despite the modest compensation, the educational sector in this nation continues to face challenges. It’s a scenario where students spend seven years for a five-year course due to strikes, while their peers who started university at the same time are progressing in their careers. This issue highlights the ongoing struggle between ASUU and the Federal Government.
