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The National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) has threatened to embark on nationwide protests over the three-and-a-half months’ withheld salaries, non-implementation of the consequential adjustment for the minimum wage, among others.
Ibeji Nwokoma, NAAT President, made this known in a statement when he said that the Association gave the Government till August 6, but was open to dialogue before the date.
The statement clarified that if the Government fails to act swiftly, the NAAT branches would commence the first nationwide protest on August 6, the second nationwide protest on August 13 and a national protest in Abuja on August 20.
“Further to this, all NAAT branches have been directed to commence the sensitisation and mobilisation of members in preparation for the actions scheduled for August 2025.
“However, NAAT remains committed to dialogue and constructive engagement with relevant stakeholders to resolve our grievances and to improve the welfare of our members
“Finally, NAAT calls on the general public, traditional and religious leaders, members of the National Assembly, and well-meaning Nigerians to intervene and prevail upon the federal government to do the needful in order to sustain the relative peace currently being enjoyed on university campuses.”
NAAT had issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government in June over unresolved issues as touching the welfare of its members and a conducive environment for academic activities, which expired on July 4, without any action from the government.
Hence, the Association at its 59 National Executive Council (NEC), meeting at Yobe State University, Damaturu, frowned at the alleged indifferent attitude of the government towards addressing the highlighted demands.
Nwokoma pointed out that some of the contentious issues fueling the proposed nationwide protests include the sharing formula of the recently disbursed N50 billion, which had the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) awarded 80% of the total sum, while NAAT, SSANU and NASU were given 20% to share among themselves.
“The NEC in session frowned at the modalities used by the Federal Government in the sharing formula and disbursement of the N50 billion earned allowances and earned academic allowances arrears,” the statement read in part.
Other unresolved issues include the mainstreaming of allowances for NAAT members, like the field trip, student/technologist staff ratio supplementation, students’ work experience programme, SWEP, and call duty allowances.
Besides, the Association’s grievances include the release of N50 billion to settle the outstanding claims of earned allowances for NAAT members to address the injustice meted on the union.
“Other demands are completion of the renegotiation of the FGN/NAAT 2009 Agreement, implementation of the consequential adjustment of the new national minimum wage, payment of the three and a half months of withheld salaries, payment of arrears of seven (7) months of occupational hazard allowance and release of third -party deductions for the two months of withheld salaries that were paid.
“Payment of 11 months’ arrears of responsibility allowance, release of an enabling circular for career progression to CONTISS 14 & 15 for academic technologist, payment of arrears of the N30,000 minimum wage to omitted NAAT members (implemented in 2019 and the recognition of NEC-approved branch executives by the management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka and University of Nigeria, Nsukka respectively.”
The memo to all branch chairmen of NAAT for commencement of sensitisation and mobilisation for the impending industrial action was signed by Abubakar Yusuf, the NAAT General Secretary.
