The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) has warned the Federal Government against the selective release of the N50 billion Earned Allowance and delays in implementing agreements with unions in the tertiary education sector. The union says failure to treat all stakeholders fairly could lead to fresh strikes and disruptions in universities and colleges.
The union’s General Secretary, Prince Peter Adeyemi, gave this warning during the two-day meeting of the Universities & Inter-University Centres Trade Group Council held in Lagos from April 9 to 10, 2025. Adeyemi said while NASU supports the move away from the controversial Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS), the new system must take over both the benefits and liabilities of staff — something IPPIS allegedly failed to do.
According to Adeyemi, “IPPIS has not only refused to carry over all the financial responsibilities but has also brought new problems for workers.” He pointed out that NASU members were still being denied some of their entitlements due to this incomplete transition.
He also condemned what he called illegal stoppage of union dues in some institutions, especially the case of the Federal Polytechnic, Ekowe. “It is against Nigerian labour laws for any rector, vice-chancellor, or provost to block check-off dues. This is a right of the union and cannot be tampered with,” Adeyemi said.
On the hot-button issue of the N50 billion Earned Allowance, Adeyemi warned strongly against paying only the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and leaving out other unions like NASU. “If that money is disbursed only to ASUU and ignores other unions, we are looking at another major crisis in our universities. Agreements signed in 2022 are still binding today,” he said.
He urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of Education to urgently intervene to avoid further tension in the education sector. “Government must act now to preserve industrial harmony in our institutions,” he added.
Backing Adeyemi’s statements, NASU President Dr. Hassan Makolo also criticised the Federal Government for failing to pay arrears, mishandling the IPPIS platform, and not renegotiating the long-standing 2009 agreement with unions. “It’s a betrayal of trust. Third-party deductions are not being remitted, promotions are delayed, and union dues are being withheld,” Makolo stated.
He warned against any moves to punish NASU members for rejecting IPPIS and said the union would resist any such actions. Makolo also questioned the exclusion of NASU from recent meetings on Earned Allowance, saying it raises doubts about the legitimacy of the outcomes.
Also speaking at the event, the Lagos State Chairman of NASU, Mr. Timothy Olawore, listed poor funding, brain drain, and decaying infrastructure as major challenges facing Nigeria’s education sector. “These issues are affecting both the quality of education and the welfare of our members,” he said. He called on union members to work together and find lasting solutions to the problems.
Buhari Suleiman, the Trade Group Council Chairman and Deputy President of NASU, didn’t mince words in his speech. He described the state of the nation as disturbing, pointing to crises in education, security, power, and the economy. He criticised the government’s 9.2 percent allocation to education in the 2025 budget, calling it a “clear disregard for global standards.”
Suleiman further lamented Nigeria’s position as the sixth-worst country on the Global Terrorism Index, describing it as a “shameful reflection of failed leadership.” He blamed deep-rooted corruption and increasing youth unemployment for the country’s woes. “A nation that abandons its youth has no future,” he said.
He also criticised the poor power supply across the country, calling it a national embarrassment. “We need leadership that works for the people, not for themselves,” Suleiman concluded.
With tensions high and NASU standing firm on its demands, the Federal Government may have to act quickly to prevent another round of strikes and shutdowns in the country’s already troubled tertiary education sector.
