Strike looms as NAAT issues 14-day ultimatum to FG over unresolved issues

The National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) has given the Federal Government a 14-day ultimatum to address longstanding grievances or face an indefinite strike that could disrupt academic and research activities across public universities.

NAAT President, Comrade Ibeji Nwokoma, announced the ultimatum on Wednesday during a protest held at the University of Maiduguri, Borno State. He expressed frustration over delays by the Minister of Finance in releasing withheld salaries, despite prior approval from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Describing the situation as “regrettable,” Nwokoma questioned the government’s commitment to resolving NAAT’s concerns, adding that the delay raises “more questions than answers” about its sincerity.

“The refusal by the Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy to execute this approval suggests a lack of commitment to resolving these issues and easing the suffering of Nigerians, especially NAAT members,” Nwokoma stated. His message was delivered by Yusuf Zangoma, Acting Chairman of NAAT at the University of Maiduguri.

Among NAAT’s demands are the immediate payment of withheld salaries, full implementation of the 2009 FGN/NAAT Agreement, settlement of Earned Allowances arrears, and the urgent upgrade of laboratories in public universities.

NAAT has directed its branches nationwide to organize protests and hold congresses in the days ahead. If the government fails to meet its demands by November 13, 2024, the union has pledged to escalate its protests into a nationwide strike.

This action comes on the heels of a similar ultimatum issued by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), which is also pressing the Federal Government for progress on the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement and release of withheld salaries from last year’s strike.

NAAT’s National Internal Auditor, Yusuf Bulus, called on Nigerians and relevant stakeholders to intervene. “A strike would severely impact our students, but we sincerely hope it doesn’t come to that,” he cautioned.