The Federal Government of Nigeria has released funds to settle outstanding salaries owed to members of the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) of Federal Universities and to cover benefits for retirees under the Nigerian Union of Pensioners’ Contributory Pension Scheme.
A statement on Saturday from Bawa Mokwa, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF), confirmed the payments, with many NASU members already receiving their overdue salaries.
“The Federal Government has released funds for the payment of withheld salaries for the Non-Academic Staff Union of Federal Universities, as well as benefits for retirees under the Nigerian Union of Pensioners Contributory Pension Scheme,” the statement read.
The release of funds comes after an indefinite strike by NASU and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) over unpaid salaries, leading to the closure of public universities across Nigeria. The Joint Action Committee of SSANU and NASU initiated the strike on Monday, citing salary arrears from four months.
Earlier in the week, government representatives, including the outgoing Minister of State for Education, Dr. Yusuf Sununu, met with union leaders to urge an end to the strike. The Education Ministry has expressed optimism that the recent payments will address some of the unions’ demands and restore normal operations in universities.
