Tinubu begins disbursement of ASUU salaries withheld under Buhari administration
In a significant development within Nigeria’s education sector, the administration of President Bola Tinubu has initiated the long-awaited disbursement of outstanding salaries owed to members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). Multiple credible sources have confirmed the commencement of payments, marking a pivotal step towards resolving a protracted issue that has plagued university educators for months.
Confirming the news, Gbolahan Bolarin, the chairperson of ASUU at the Federal University of Technology, Minna, affirmed the commencement of salary payments, stating, “Yes, it is true. Payment has started rolling in,” during an interview with Punch. This move comes in the wake of President Tinubu’s approval in October 2023 to release four months’ worth of salaries that had been withheld during the tenure of former President Muhammadu Buhari, offering much-needed relief to affected university faculty members.
The decision to withhold salaries stemmed from the implementation of the ‘No work, no pay policy’ by the Buhari administration in response to an eight-month strike initiated by certain university-based unions in 2022. The resulting financial strain on ASUU members underscored the urgent need for intervention, prompting President Tinubu’s administration to take decisive action to address the outstanding salary arrears.
In addition to addressing salary arrears, Minister of Education Tahir Mamman announced a series of sweeping reforms aimed at revitalizing Nigeria’s higher education system. Among these reforms is a notable 35% increase in salaries for university workers, signaling the government’s commitment to enhancing the welfare of educators and improving overall working conditions within the academic community.
Furthermore, the Tinubu administration has demonstrated its commitment to promoting university autonomy by removing universities from the Integrated Payment and Payroll Information System (IPPIS). This landmark decision grants universities greater flexibility in managing their finances and personnel, liberating them from the bureaucratic constraints imposed by centralized payroll systems. Additionally, universities are now empowered to recruit and fill vacancies without the need for cumbersome waivers, streamlining administrative processes and fostering a more conducive environment for academic excellence.
The implementation of these reforms heralds a new era of progress and transformation within Nigeria’s education sector, marking a departure from the challenges and constraints of the past. With the initiation of salary payments and the introduction of measures to enhance university autonomy, the Tinubu administration has laid the groundwork for a more resilient and responsive higher education system that prioritizes the needs and aspirations of both educators and students alike.
As the disbursement of ASUU salaries continues and educational reforms take shape, stakeholders remain optimistic about the prospects of a brighter future for Nigeria’s universities. The decisive actions taken by the Tinubu government underscore its unwavering commitment to fostering excellence and innovation within the nation’s academic institutions, paving the way for sustained growth and development in the years to come.
