Academic Technologists Urge Federal Government to Pay Withheld Salaries
In a statement issued by NAAT's President, Ideji Nwokoma, and General Secretary, Abubakar Yusuf, the association emphasized the need for the implementation of the 25% and 35% approved salary increase, along with the corresponding arrears as outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the Federal Government on August 17, 2022.
AKACHI NOEL 
The National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) has called on the Federal Government to expedite the payment of over five months' worth of withheld salaries owed to its members.
This appeal comes after a directive was issued to the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation to authorize the release of four months' salaries from the outstanding payments owed to members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). Notably, this directive excludes other university staff who belong to different unions and centers.
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In a statement issued by NAAT's President, Ideji Nwokoma, and General Secretary, Abubakar Yusuf, the association emphasized the need for the implementation of the 25% and 35% approved salary increase, along with the corresponding arrears as outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the Federal Government on August 17, 2022.
NAAT commended President Bola Tinubu's efforts to revitalize the country's economy and educational sector through the Renewed Hope Agenda. They particularly highlighted the recent disbursement of N630 billion to universities and tertiary institutions by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) as a positive step towards infrastructure and human capital development.
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However, the association expressed disappointment over the discrepancy between the Minister of Education's assurances regarding salary payments and the Federal Government's action to only release salaries to ASUU members, excluding NAAT members. They described this decision as unfair and potentially disruptive to academic activities on university campuses.
NAAT urged the Minister of Education to address the grievances of its members promptly by facilitating the payment of withheld salaries, implementing the approved salary increases with arrears, and releasing the arrears of earned allowances as stipulated in the MoU signed between NAAT and the Federal Government.
The association reiterated that the failure of the Federal Government to uphold agreements reached through collective bargaining was a major factor leading to the initiation of strike actions in the university sector.
