The National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) on Wednesday issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, demanding immediate action on unresolved issues or risk an indefinite strike.
NAAT President, Comrade Ibeji Nwokoma, announced the ultimatum during a peaceful protest at the University of Maiduguri in Borno State.
Nwokoma voiced frustration over the Minister of Finance’s refusal to release withheld salaries, despite approval from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing the delay as “unfortunate and regrettable” and questioning the government’s commitment to addressing NAAT’s grievances.
“The refusal by the Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy to effect this approval raises more questions than answers regarding the Federal Government’s sincerity in resolving these issues and alleviating the suffering of Nigerians, particularly NAAT members,” Nwokoma said.
Represented by the University of Maiduguri NAAT Acting Chairman, Yusuf Zangoma, Nwokoma outlined the union’s demands, which include the payment of withheld salaries, full implementation of the 2009 FGN/NAAT Agreement, settlement of Earned Allowances arrears, and upgrading public university laboratories.
NAAT has instructed its branches to organize protests and congresses, and if the government fails to meet its demands by November 13, 2024, the union will initiate a national protest and indefinite strike.
This ultimatum aligns with similar actions taken by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), which has also given the Federal Government a 14-day deadline to address issues like the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement and the release of withheld salaries from the 2022 strike.
NAAT’s National Internal Auditor, Yusuf Bulus, appealed to concerned Nigerians and stakeholders to intervene to prevent disruptions to the academic calendar, research, and laboratory activities. “The impact of a strike is immense on our students, but we don’t want it to come to that,” he cautioned.
