The Congress of University Academics (CONUA) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in the payment of three and a half months of withheld salaries and four months of unremitted third-party deductions owed to its members.
In a statement by Dr. Folasade Hunsu, Chairperson of CONUA at Obafemi Awolowo University and Southwest Zonal Coordinator, the union expressed frustration over the federal government’s non-compliance with a court ruling that affirmed its independence as an academic union.
Dr. Hunsu emphasized that lecturers cannot be expected to effectively perform their roles in teaching, research, and community engagement under financial duress.
CONUA maintained that it was never part of the strike action initiated by another academic union and criticized its members being penalized for an action they did not participate in. The union cited the National Industrial Court’s judgment of July 25, 2023, which recognized CONUA as an independent body, and Section 43 (1b) of the Trade Disputes Act, which protects employees’ rights during employer-initiated lockouts.
“CONUA notes with consternation that the third-party deductions (cooperatives, etc.) have not been paid to date. Efforts to trace these deductions have proven unsuccessful,” the statement read.
The union also accused the federal government of ignoring its correspondence, including letters to the Ministers of Education and Labour, and called on President Tinubu to ensure immediate payment to prevent industrial unrest in universities.
Additionally, CONUA demanded inclusion in the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement, which the union claims it was unfairly excluded from during the Federal Ministry of Education’s inauguration of a renegotiation committee on October 15, 2024.
CONUA urged swift government action, noting that the ongoing financial and psychological strain on lecturers jeopardizes the academic sector’s ability to meet its mandates amidst national developmental challenges.
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