Metro
NAAT joins ASUU in 14-day strike ultimatum to Nigerian govt over unmet demands
The National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), on Wednesday, issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, threatening a nationwide strike if their demands are not met.
The union’s decision comes amid a growing wave of industrial actions by university workers, with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) also poised to embark on a strike.
NAAT’s demands include the immediate payment of withheld salaries, the full implementation of the 2009 FGN/NAAT Agreement, the settlement of earned allowances arrears, and the upgrading of public university laboratories.
The union’s President, Ibeji Nwokoma, expressed deep frustration over the government’s delay in addressing these issues, during a peaceful protest at the University of Maiduguri in Borno State.
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“The refusal by the Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy to effect this approval raises more questions than answers regarding the Federal Government’s sincerity in resolving these issues and alleviating the suffering of Nigerians, particularly NAAT members,” Nwokoma stated.
In his speech, Yusuf Bulus, NAAT’s National Internal Auditor, appealed to stakeholders to intervene and prevent a nationwide strike. He emphasized the detrimental impact of such action on students, research, and laboratory activities.
If the government fails to meet the November 13 deadline, NAAT has vowed to take industrial action, which could significantly disrupt the academic calendar and research activities in Nigerian universities.
This would further exacerbate the challenges faced by students, who have already endured numerous disruptions to their education due to previous strikes.
The potential impact of a joint strike by NAAT and ASUU could be far-reaching, affecting not only students but also the overall quality of higher education in Nigeria.
The government is now under immense pressure to address the demands of both unions and prevent a nationwide academic crisis.
The government’s response to these demands will be crucial in determining the future of higher education in Nigeria. A failure to address the concerns of academic staff could lead to further disruptions, hindering the progress and development of the country’s education sector.
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