The National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) has declared a three-day warning strike starting on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, citing the non-payment of four months’ withheld salaries as directed by President Bola Tinubu.
President Tinubu had instructed in October 2023 that university workers, who went on a prolonged strike in 2022 due to the previous government’s failure to address their grievances, should be compensated for four months. However, during former President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure, the “No work, no pay” policy was enforced, resulting in university workers not receiving salaries for the duration of their strike.
While members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities have received payment for the four months as per the president’s directive, NAAT members are still awaiting their salaries.
In a statement released on Monday by NAAT’s president, Ibeji Nwokoma, the union clarified that the decision to initiate the warning strike was approved during the union’s National Executive Council emergency virtual meeting.
Nwokoma urged the Federal Government to fulfill its promises or be held responsible for any disruption of academic activities in universities.