Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Non‑Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) has demanded full parity in allowances with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in the ongoing re‑negotiation with the Federal Government, arguing that the current cost‑of‑living crisis makes any discrimination between academic and non‑academic workers indefensible.
Speaking on the sidelines of the 114th Session of the International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva on 14 June 2026, the NASU General Secretary, Mr Peters Adeyemi, stated bluntly that “whatever is given to ASUU should also be given to us because we face the same economic realities.” He recalled that the union had already rejected a government offer of a 30 per cent increase in allowances, insisting that it fell short of the 40 per cent that was approved for university lecturers at the start of 2026.“Government offered us 30 per cent and we said no. Though they are our senior colleagues, we all go to the same market and buy the same fuel,” he added.
Mr Adeyemi pointed out that landlords and service providers make no distinction between academics and non‑academics when fixing rents or charges, and that the same principle should apply to welfare benefits.“The cost of living affects all workers equally. We cannot accept a situation where one group receives significantly better allowances than another,” he emphasised.
The NASU leader revealed that negotiations with the Federal Government have “progressed substantially” at the university sector level and are “nearing conclusion.” Once an agreement is reached for universities, he said, it would serve as a template for talks in polytechnics and colleges of education, where NASU also represents workers.“We are almost reaching the end of the renegotiation process for universities. Once we conclude that, the other sectors may not be as difficult,” he explained.
The current stand‑off is the latest chapter in a long‑running dispute over the disparity in allowances between academic and non‑academic staff in federal tertiary institutions. In April 2026, NASU had already rejected a 30 per cent allowance offer and warned of a possible nationwide shutdown of campuses. At the time, the union insisted that “it does not make sense to grant academics 40 per cent and give non‑teaching staff 30 per cent,” and called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene.“If you give them 40 per cent, give us 40 per cent. It will still not amount to the same thing, but at least it will be fair,” the General Secretary had argued then.
Before the Geneva declaration, the Minister of Education had reportedly withdrawn a controversial circular that announced the 30 per cent increase, and a fresh meeting was scheduled for late April 2026. However, with the deadline approaching and no concrete progress, NASU has now escalated the issue on the international stage.
Mr Adeyemi also accused the government of delaying the implementation of agreements that had already been reached with unions, warning that such tactics only “fuel industrial disputes across tertiary institutions.”“When agreements are freely entered into, they should be implemented. Failure to do so only creates avoidable crises in the education sector,” he said.
Despite the combative language, the NASU general secretary expressed hope that the ongoing discussions would produce a fair outcome for non‑academic staff, and reaffirmed the union’s commitment to dialogue while insisting that workers expect equitable compensation in line with the prevailing economic realities.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with a severe cost‑of‑living crunch, the call for allowance parity has become a litmus test for the government’s ability to treat all tertiary‑education workers fairly. Should the talks fail to yield a 40 per cent offer for NASU, the threat of industrial action could once again paralyse the nation’s university system.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com ✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments