News
Anxiety As Nigerian Universities Workers Begin Strike Today
The Joint Action Committee of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities has vowed to indefinitely shut down all activities in universities across the country from Monday (today) when they embark on an indefinite strike.
A statement made available to The PUNCH on Sunday and signed by National President, SSANU, Mohammed Ibrahim, General Secretary, NASU, Prince Peters Adeyemi, said the ultimatum it gave the Federal Government over its withheld salaries expired Sunday midnight.
The unions are demanding, among others, the payment of the four-month withheld salaries, improved remuneration, earned allowances and implementation of the 2009 agreements with the government.
The Federal Government had through the Ministry of Labour and Employment invoked the ‘No Work, No Pay’ policy when the four university-based unions embarked on a prolonged strike in 2022.
Last October, President Bola Tinubu directed the payment of four of the eight months withheld salaries for the academic staff. It was finally paid in February.
The directive was silent about the non-teaching staff, raising concerns as to their fate. The unions also described the directive as selective and kicked against it.
The unions subsequently wrote to the government, gave ultimatums, protested and held warning strikes, but their four-month salaries are still being withheld.
The statement, called on all the state-owned universities to also incorporate their local demands into the strike action as appropriate.
“Your strict compliance and adherence to this directive is mandatory for all NASU and SSANU branches in Federal and State Owned Universities as well as Inter-University Centres,” it read.
It also said, “The last circular of the Joint Action Committee of Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities titled, “Latest Development in Respect of the Withheld Four Months’ Salaries” referenced JAC/NS/VOL.III/32 dated 21st October 2024 refers.
“The circular under reference gave seven days to the Federal Government to do the needful in respect of our demands for payment of outstanding four months’ salaries and implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) sighed with the Federal Government on 20th August, 2022 which expires midnight of Sunday, 27th October, 2024.”
It recall that at the last National Peaceful Protest of JAC of NASU and SSANU held on July 18, 2024 at the Unity Fountain Abuja, an ultimatum of 10 days was given to the Government to pay the withheld salaries to avoid shutting down of activities in the Universities and Inter-University Centres with no consequence.
“It is quite appalling that we have issued several ultimatums thereafter with no positive result from the government, it is therefore obvious that Government is not positively disposed to our rightful and legitimate demands in spite of several interactions, dialogues, exchange of correspondences and assurances of payment all to no avail.
“We have exercised considerable and prolonged patience, allowing multiple deadlines to pass without receiving a satisfactory response to our demands by the Government,” the statement, “This is to direct all our members in the Universities and Inter-University Centres throughout the country to hold a joint congress in their respective campuses on Monday, 28th October, 2024 and proceed on an indefinite, comprehensive and total strike action as no concession should be given in any guise.”
SSANU members are in charge of major facilities on campuses, which has sparked fears of a standstill of activities if the strike begins today.
“Our members are in charge of water supply, electricity, communication, internet supply, security, finance, if they pay this money tomorrow (today), we will call off the strike,” SSANU boss Ibrahim told The PUNCH.
The strike holds as President Tinubu directed outgoing Minister of Education Prof Mamman Tahir to hand over office to the incoming Dr Tunji Alausa on Wednesday.
Efforts to reach the Federal Ministry of Education for reaction to the industrial action by both unions were unsuccessful as at the time of filing this report.
In March, the union embarked on a one-week warning strike after its letter to the education minister and the Chief of Staff to the President were not responded to. In July, the unions ordered a nationwide protest to call the government’s attention to their plight.
After the July meeting, the spokesperson for the education ministry, Folashade Boriowo, said the withheld salaries had been forwarded to the highest level of government and were receiving attention.
Earlier this month, the union gave a seven-day ultimatum over the withheld salaries but the action also failed to achieve the desired result.
“It is quite appalling that we have issued several ultimatums thereafter with no positive result from the government, it is therefore obvious that the government is not positively disposed to our rightful and legitimate demands in spite of several interactions, dialogues, exchange of correspondences and assurances of payment all to no avail,” the unions said in the statement.
Last month, the unions announced plans to commence an indefinite strike if their outstanding salaries were not paid within three weeks, demanding, among other things, the payment of four months’ withheld salaries, improved remuneration, earned allowances, and the implementation of the 2009 agreements with the government.
In a statement jointly signed by SSANU boss Ibrahim, and the General Secretary of NASU, Adeyemi, the unions said the Federal Government was given a 10-day grace period, which expired on July 26, 2024, to pay the four months of outstanding salaries to university staff, with the threat of shutting down universities and inter-university centres if the payment was not made.
However, six weeks after the grace period elapsed, the government has still not fulfilled this obligation.
“It is in respect of the above that we write to inform the government of the decision of the National JAC of NASU and SSANU at the meeting held on 12th September 2024, that the government be given another three weeks’ final ultimatum from Tuesday, 17th September 2024, to pay the four months’ withheld salaries and also implement the agreement reached with it on 20th August 2022, failing which our members may be forced to embark on indefinite strike action at the expiration of the ultimatum.”
The unions noted that they were aware that President Tinubu had approved the payment of the outstanding four months’ withheld salaries, but that this was not implemented by relevant government officials.
“We have it on good authority that Mr. President has given approval for the payment of the four months’ withheld salaries as far back as 18th July 2024 at the national minimum wage meeting with the leadership of NLC and TUC.
“Of recent, we also heard that Mr. President has given approval for the actual release of the payment. Regrettably, nothing has been forthcoming despite all the approvals,” both unions stated in September.
Credit: PUNCH
By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives has commenced investigations on the alleged mismanagement of funds meant for agricultural development by government agencies outside the Federal Ministry of Agriculture.
Declaring open the inestigation, Chairman Committee on Nutrition and Food Security, Rep.Chike Okafor, said the hearing was to uncover the truth and ensure accountability in the use of public funds.
Rep. Okafor noted that despite trillions of naira reportedly spent on agriculture over the years, Nigeria still battles food shortages, hunger, and high food prices.
“This hearing is not a witch-hunt. Our purpose is not to target individuals or institutions but to uncover the truth, identify systemic failures, and ensure that public funds allocated for agricultural development are utilized transparently and effectively.
“If these funds had been judiciously spent, we would not be facing the current crisis where millions of Nigerians struggle to afford basic meals,” he said.
The probe, according to the Chairman, follows a motion passed by the House titled “Alleged Mismanagement of Government Agricultural Initiatives and Funding by Departments, Agencies, and Government Programs Outside the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security”.
He listed key institutions under scrutiny, including the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL), Bank of Industry (BOI), Bank of Agriculture (BOA), and the National Agricultural Development Fund, among others.
Some of the figures raised by the committee include:
– ₦1.12 trillion disbursed to over 4.6 million farmers through CBN’s Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP),
– ₦215 billion disbursed by NIRSAL to support agriculture and agribusinesses,
– ₦3 billion given to 22,120 smallholder farmers by BOI,
– ₦59.4 billion in loans for agro and food processing businesses,
– ₦5 billion livestock loan facility to BOA in 2023,
– ₦1.6 billion recovery fund released in 2024 by the National Agricultural Development Fund to fight ginger blight disease.
Rep. Okafor explained that the Committee is empowered by the House rules to investigate how these funds were allocated and used, and determine if they truly made an impact.
He demanded foe detailed information from the agencies covering the period between 2017 and 2024, including lists of beneficiaries, addresses, project locations, loan terms, recovery plans, and collaboration with donor partners.
“The Nigerian people deserve to know how their resources are being used, and this Committee is committed to ensuring that every kobo allocated to agriculture serves its intended purpose,” he said.
He also acknowledged that the Bank of Agriculture recently appointed a new Managing Director and confirmed that a letter to that effect has been received by the Committee.
The Chairman therefore urged all agency representatives to be open and sincere in their presentations, and charged the media and civil society to play their part in holding government accountable.
“The goal is not to antagonize but to collaborate in finding solutions. Where there are gaps, let us address them. Where there are inefficiencies, let us correct them. And where there are infractions, let us take necessary actions to prevent recurrence.
“With that, I declare this investigative public hearing open. I look forward to a robust, insightful, and solution-driven deliberation,” he stated.
Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria CBN, Olayemi Cardoso, represented by Mr Kwasari John Harman, an acting director in CBN said the Apex bank disbursed N1.21 trillions and N871 billion among others
He said that all commercial banks in the country received funds from the federal government on the Anchor Borrowers Scheme of the previous administration.
News
Tinubu: Pascal Dozie’s contributions to Nigeria’s economic architecture left an enduring legacy
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu extends his heartfelt condolences to the Dozie family, the business community, and all Nigerians on the passing of Chief (Dr.) Pascal Gabriel Dozie, an elder statesman, entrepreneur, and banker. He was 85.
Chief Pascal Dozie, OON, was a visionary whose contributions to Nigeria’s economic architecture left an enduring legacy.
As the founder of Diamond Bank and the pioneer Chairman of MTN Nigeria, he was at the forefront of two of the most transformative sectors in Nigeria’s development journey: banking and telecommunications.
Chief Dozie, a steadfast believer in Nigeria’s vast potential, was pivotal in shaping the financial services industry and expanding access to mobile connectivity nationwide. His influential leadership extended well beyond corporate boardrooms.
In addition to his business acumen, Chief Dozie served as a former director at the Central Bank of Nigeria, President of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, and Chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, dedicating decades of service to national policy formulation, private sector development, and youth empowerment.
President Tinubu lauds Chief Dozie as “a rare breed business leader whose wisdom, humility, and pioneering efforts laid a foundation upon which many continue to build. His passing is a profound loss to the private sector and Nigeria.”
The President prays for the peaceful repose of Chief Dozie’s soul and extends his condolences to his wife, children, and extended family. He calls upon the Nigerian private sector to honour Chief Dozie’s memory by upholding the values of integrity, innovation, and nation-building, for which he was renowned.
*Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President
(Information & Strategy)
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The country’s reaction comes at a time when tensions are rising over its sweeping tariffs imposed on several countries.
Nigeria’s import ban on 25 different product categories impacts U.S. exporters, particularly in agriculture, pharmaceuticals, beverages, and consumer goods, the United States Trade Representative said in a statement on Monday.
According to the statement posted on its X platform, Nigeria’s restrictions on items like beef, pork, poultry, fruit juices, medicaments, and spirits limit U.S. market access and reduce export opportunities.
“These policies create significant trade barriers that lead to lost revenue for U.S. businesses looking to expand in the Nigerian market.
The country’s reaction comes at a time when tensions are rising over its sweeping tariffs imposed on several countries.
Last week, the Trump administration imposed various tariffs ranging between 10 per cent and 65 per cent on different countries across the world, including Nigeria which got a 14 per cent tariff on its exports to the United States.
Nigerian stocks on Monday recorded their biggest drop in recent times following the impact of U.S President Donald Trump’s tariffs on global trade markets.
Investors lost about N659 billion at the close of trading after the Nigerian Exchange’s All Share Index (ASI) decreased by 1.23 percent, its biggest single-day decline this month.
Stocks like Oando and Honeywell Flour Mills helped to push the market lower. Oando decreased the most, from N42 to N37.80, down by N4.20 or 10 percent, while Honeywell dropped from N11.32 to N10.19, losing N1.13 or 9.98 percent.
The Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) All-Share Index (ASI) and equities market capitalisation decreased from the preceding day’s 105,511.89 points and N66.147 trillion, respectively, to 104,216.87 points and N65.488 billion. The Nigerian market’s return this year has decreased to +1.25 percent.
Countries such as China have since said they would retaliate from the imposed tariffs.
China vowed on Tuesday to “fight to the end” against fresh tariffs of 50 percent threatened by US President Donald Trump, further aggravating a trade war that has already wiped trillions off global markets.
The Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, on Monday said that the Federal Government will boost non-revenue as a means of cushioning the adverse effects to trade tariffs imposed on countries by President Trump.
Edun also assured that the Economic Management Team (EMT) will meet to assess the likely impact of the 14 per cent tariff on goods exported from Nigeria to the United States.
He said the EMT will afterwards, make recommendations to cushion its impact on the nation’s economy.
Edun, who was speaking at an event organised by the Ministry of Finance Incorporated on Monday, said that while the adverse effect on Nigeria will be through an oil price plunge, the government is intensifying efforts to ramp up oil production and boost non-oil revenues.
-
News8 hours agoJust in: Founder of Diamond Bank and ex-chairman of MTN, Paschal Dozie is dead
-
News15 hours agoRainfall washes away newly constructed multi-million naira road in Edo State
-
News15 hours agoEvangelist Kekere Jesu buried amidst deep sorrow
-
Metro15 hours agoStray bullet from VIP convoy kills bystander in Abuja
-
News9 hours agoNaira Nosedives Against Dollar
-
Sports8 hours agoReal Madrid keeping tabs on Victor Osimhen
-
News9 hours ago2Baba’s Lover Natasha Osawaru Fired As Edo Assembly Minority Leader
-
News14 hours agoLG autonomy: Govs block council chairmen from opening CBN accounts