The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has urged members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to remain calm in the face of the Federal Government’s reported half-salary payment.
In a statement he personally signed in Abuja yesterday, Gbajabiamila said that efforts were underway to find long-term solutions to the issues frequently raised by ASUU, and that President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed interest in getting involved. He further explained that the government’s no work, no pay policy was designed to avoid moral hazard and discourage disruptive labor actions.
“When ASUU called off their industrial action three weeks ago, it meant that academic activities could resume in our nation’s public universities and students could return to their academic pursuits after the prolonged interruption. This decision was rightly heralded nationwide as the correct decision.” He said.
He noted that the Executive’s position that it was not required to pay lecturers’ salaries for time spent on strike was based on the law and the government’s legitimate interest in preventing moral hazard and discouraging disruptive industrial actions.
While reiterating his commitment to providing sustainable reforms to the Nigerian tertiary education system, the Speaker noted that the challenges confronting Nigerian tertiary education were multifaceted, necessitating the collaboration of all stakeholders to provide solutions.
He also stated that a national tertiary education summit would be held, during which stakeholders would discuss ways to improve the sector.
Also, the Association of Nigeria Universities Alumni (ANUA) yesterday urged the government to pay ASUU members’ accrued salaries for the sake of peace and justice.
The National President, Stephen Olawale Fasakin, and the Secretary, Mohammed Wada Sani, said in a statement that the full payment would also motivate the union to cover grounds.
