BY: News Peddlers
The Federal Government only paid lecturers under the auspices of the Academic Staff Union of Universities for 18 working days in October, according to exclusive information obtained by The PUNCH.
Lecturers and senior ASUU members who spoke to our correspondent on the condition of anonymity stated that the government only paid half of their salaries.
The PUNCH previously reported that on October 14, 2022, ASUU called off its eight-month-long strike. The union encouraged lecturers to return to work that day.
A senior member of the National Executive Council told our correspondent, "We were only paid for the days following the strike." I was paid half of my normal salary. Other members are furious right now, blaming the NEC for calling off the strike.
"Yes, it is true, I received half salary," said another member, "who confirmed the development. The government appears to be planning to eliminate unionism in the country, but we are prepared."
Though the FG has yet to break the silence on the reason for the half payment, our correspondent learned that the decision was made because the lecturers returned to work in the middle of October.
Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, national president of ASUU, confirmed the development to PUNCH, saying, "Yes, it is true, and we are truly shocked."
According to the PUNCH, ASUU announced a suspension of the strike on Friday, October 14th, which began on Monday, February 14, 2022.
The union explained in a statement released and signed by Osodeke that it suspended the strike based on a court order while noting that the government had yet to meet some of the demands that prompted the strike to begin.