The Congress of University Academics (CONUA) has written to President Bola Tinubu, demanding the payment of three and a half months’ withheld salaries, along with four months of third-party deductions that have not been remitted.
In a statement released on December 18, 2024, Dr. Folasade Hunsu, Chairperson of CONUA at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) and Southwest Zonal Coordinator, expressed deep concern over the financial hardship faced by its members.
Hunsu emphasized that lecturers, financially strained and demotivated by the unpaid salaries, are unable to fully engage in their primary duties of teaching, research, and community service.
“The federal government cannot expect lecturers to deliver quality education and conduct research when their livelihoods are compromised,” said Hunsu in the statement.
The union also criticized the federal government for ignoring the court’s ruling that recognized CONUA as an independent academic staff union. According to the statement, the government had wrongly lumped CONUA members with striking unions, despite the fact that CONUA did not participate in the strike.
“CONUA was never part of the strike action. The government’s decision to withhold our members’ salaries is unfair and illegal,” Hunsu said.
She referenced a ruling from the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) on July 25, 2023, which affirmed CONUA’s independence.
“The judgment clearly stated that CONUA is an independent union,” she added. “Yet, the government continues to penalize our members for actions we did not take.”
The withheld third-party deductions, including payments to cooperatives and other entities, are another major issue for the union.
“These deductions have not been paid, and our efforts to trace them have been unsuccessful,” Hunsu stated. “We demand that the government direct the immediate payment of these funds to the appropriate quarters.”
CONUA has taken several steps to address the issue. The union reached out to the Honourable Minister of Education on multiple occasions, urging action to resolve the salary issue.
On May 20, 2024, the union received a letter from the Ministry of Education advising them to redirect their request to the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
“The Ministry of Labour is responsible for verifying claims related to industrial action,” the letter read.
In June, CONUA sent an official letter to the Ministry of Labour, highlighting the issue of the withheld salaries. However, the union’s attempts to get a response have been met with inaction.
“We have been left without any meaningful response, and it seems the government is unwilling to follow the law or respect the court’s decision,” Hunsu said.
CONUA is also calling on President Tinubu to intervene directly.
“We urge President Tinubu to take immediate action to resolve this issue. If our demands are not addressed, there could be severe consequences for the academic environment in Nigeria,” Hunsu warned.
The union stressed that the failure to pay lecturers their dues is affecting not just the individuals but the educational system as a whole.
“Without adequate support, lecturers cannot perform at their best. This will have long-term consequences for Nigeria’s higher education system,” she added.
In addition to the salary dispute, CONUA is demanding to be included in the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement between the government and academic unions.
CONUA claims it was excluded from the 53-member committee set up by the Ministry of Education on October 15, 2024, to renegotiate the agreement.
“This exclusion is a direct violation of our rights as an independent union,” said Hunsu. “We demand to be included in the process so that our voices can be heard.”
The union has sent several letters to the Ministry of Education regarding this exclusion, but as of December 4, 2024, no resolution has been reached.
“The government must recognize CONUA as an important stakeholder in the education sector,” Hunsu insisted.
CONUA’s call for the payment of withheld salaries and its demand for inclusion in the renegotiation process come at a critical time for Nigeria’s academic sector.
The current challenges facing lecturers, combined with the ongoing efforts by President Tinubu’s administration to address developmental issues, require urgent attention to the needs of academics.
“Financially debilitated and demoralized lecturers cannot be expected to contribute to the development of the nation. This issue must be resolved quickly to avoid further disruption in our universities,” Hunsu concluded.
The union’s demands highlight ongoing tensions between academic staff and the federal government. If left unresolved, these issues could lead to further unrest within the Nigerian higher education system.
As CONUA waits for action from President Tinubu, lecturers across the country are anxiously hoping for a swift resolution to the financial challenges they face.
Background Information:
The Congress of University Academics (CONUA) is one of the unions representing academic staff in Nigerian universities. It has consistently advocated for the rights and welfare of university lecturers, particularly focusing on the need for fair pay and proper recognition.
CONUA’s demands come after a protracted dispute between university unions and the Nigerian government over issues such as salary payments and industrial action. The government has faced criticism for its handling of the academic sector, especially during periods of strikes and disagreements over funding.
The exclusion of CONUA from the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement highlights the ongoing divisions within the academic community and the challenges in addressing the concerns of all stakeholders in the higher education sector.
The union’s call for President Tinubu’s intervention reflects the growing frustration among lecturers and their belief that the government’s inaction is exacerbating the situation.
