*Dele Ashiru, Chairman of the University of Lagos聽 Branch of Academic Staff Union of Universities, declares ‘it is to say the least insensitive and disheartening that a supposedly democratic government can be so vicious, reckless and inhuman in dealing with the best brains in our society’

*Union set to convene a NEC meeting, says ASUU President

Isola Moses | 绿帽献妻

The recent festering crisis in the Nigerian University system yet seems not over.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), once again, has criticised the payment of partial salaries to many of the academic union members for October 2022.

绿帽献妻 reports several academics Thursday, November 3, 2022, reported that they received partial salaries.

However, it was not clear if such payments were a coordinated action from the Federal Government.

鈥楢mputated and crippled鈥�

Responding to the latest development in regard to payment of salaries, Dele Ashiru, Chairman of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) ASUU Branch, in a statement issued Thursday, said described the October salaries as 鈥渁mputated and crippled鈥� payments.

Ashiru stated: 鈥淚t is to say the least insensitive and disheartening that a supposedly democratic government can be so vicious, reckless and inhuman in dealing with the best brains in our society.

鈥淭he leadership of the Union at the National level has been duly informed about this unfortunate development, and they are on top of the issue.”

The ASUU Chairman said: 鈥淢embers are please enjoined to remain calm and await further directives from the National Secretariat even in the face of this brazen provocation and crass wickedness by this administration.

鈥淧lease remain strong and undaunted because, a people united, can never be defeated.

鈥淲e shall overcome.鈥�

鈥楴o submission of results鈥�

In a related development, the ASUU Branch at the Gombe State University has ordered its members not to submit results for the 2021/2022 session over the withheld salaries.

The academic union November 2, in a statement signed by Suleiman Salihu Jauro, Branch Chairperson, and Mohammed Garba Ndogu,聽 Branch Secretary, said that聽 academics were directed to not continue with the supervision of both undergraduate and postgraduate projects allocated prior to the commencement of the strike.

NEC meeting imminent: ASUU Chair

Meanwhile, as part of efforts at addressing the issue, it was learnt that ASUU is set to summon an emergency meeting of its National Executive Council (NEC), according to report.

Though no date has been fixed for the meeting, a NEC meeting could give impetus to another strike action, The Punch report said.

Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, ASUU President, reportedly said: 鈥淗alf salaries were paid; no reasons were given whatsoever.

鈥淲e learnt that (Chris) Ngige wrote the office of the Accountant-General and Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System, and told them to only pay us for the period when we called off the strike.”

Osodeke also noted: 鈥淲e heard there was a letter to that effect, but we haven鈥檛 gotten it yet.

“We are going to summon a meeting.鈥�

Recall the union had embarked on strike for about eight months, effective February 14 this year.

The lecturers later suspended their industrial action October 14 in respect of a Court of Appeal order, that directed them to resume academic activities.

The academics had been demanding improved welfare, among other concerns in the West African country’s University system.