President Bola Tinubu Grants Partial Waiver to ASUU, Unlocks Withheld Salaries

In a momentous decision that signals a shift in policy and a breath of relief for Nigeria’s academic community, President Bola Tinubu has authorized the partial waiver of the “No Work, No Pay” directive that was previously enforced on members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

This landmark decision comes after an arduous eight-month strike initiated by ASUU on February 14, 2022, which was only resolved on October 17, 2022. The “No Work, No Pay” policy was initially invoked by former President Muhammadu Buhari to urge university educators back to their classrooms. Consequently, the ASUU members went without salaries throughout the duration of their strike.

Friday marked a turning point for these educators as Ajuri Ngelale, the presidential spokesperson, confirmed the issuance of a partial waiver concerning the “No Work, No Pay” directive. Ngelale clarified that this waiver “will enable the formerly striking members of ASUU to receive four months’ worth of salary accruals out of the eight months of salaries that were withheld during the eight-month industrial action taken by the union.”

The decision to grant this exceptional waiver was made in adherence to the Principle of the Presidential Prerogative of Mercy. President Tinubu expressed his desire to alleviate the challenges faced during the implementation of critical economic reforms in the country. Additionally, he recognized the diligent adherence to the terms agreed upon during the fruitful negotiations between ASUU and the Federal Government of Nigeria.

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While approving the waiver, President Bola Tinubu has stipulated a crucial condition – the Federal Ministry of Education and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment must establish a Document of Understanding (DoU). This document will lay out the terms of the exceptional waiver, including the provision that this will be the last waiver granted to ASUU and all other education sector unions.

The announcement is a significant step towards resolving the tensions that had simmered between the government and the academic community during the prolonged strike. The release of four months’ worth of withheld salaries is expected to provide considerable relief to the affected university staff, who faced severe financial hardships during the strike.

This decision showcases President Tinubu’s commitment to striking a balance between the implementation of vital economic reforms and addressing the grievances of the education sector, recognizing that cooperation is essential to foster goodwill and mutual understanding. The signing of the DoU will solidify the commitment to ensuring that this unique waiver is the final one, offering predictability and stability to all stakeholders in the education sector.

The development is expected to have a positive impact on the education sector and facilitate better relations between the government and the academic community. It highlights the importance of dialogue and cooperation in addressing critical issues in the country’s education system, paving the way for a more stable and productive future.