The Federal Government, through the National Salaries, Wages and Income Commission, has approved the payment of a new percentage increment in salaries for academics and non-academic staff members of all its tertiary institutions across the country, Saturday PUNCH has learnt.
This is as the percentage increment for junior staff members of tertiary institutions was raised from 23.5 per cent, which was reviewed last year, to 25 per cent.
Our correspondent gathered that the arrears of the increment from January 2023 would also be paid.
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Although nothing was said about the withheld salaries of the academics and non-academics who embarked on strike in 2022, it was learnt that the Minister of Education, Prof Tahir Mamman, earlier wrote the Chairman of the NSIWC, Ekpo Nta, to demand the status of the collective bargain for salary increment which started between the unions in federal Institutions such as the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union, and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, among others, and the administration of former President, Muhammadu Buhari.
Sources within the Ministry of Education informed our correspondent that the decision of the minister to write the NSIWC might not be unconnected with visitations by some of the academic unions and intervention by some pressure groups.
When asked if polytechnic lecturers were aware of the new development, the national president of ASUP, Dr Anderson Ezeibe, told our correspondent that the union heard the news and was looking forward to the implementation.
“Definitely, we heard of it and we are looking forward to it. There will be a 25 per cent increment for junior lecturers while chief lecturers and professors will benefit from a 35 per cent increment.”
The National Vice-President of ASUU, Prof Chris Piwuna, told Saturday PUNCH that such a letter would be addressed to the management of universities and not the union.
Meanwhile, our correspondent on Friday obtained a letter written by the Chief Executive Officer/Chairman of the NSIWC, Eyo Nta, and addressed to the minister on September 14, 2023, shortly before his departure to the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
One of the letters titled, “RE: Implementation of the 35 per cent and 23.5 per cent salary increment for staff of tertiary institutions,” read in part, “The 23.5 per cent earlier reflected in our letter SWC/S/04/S.149/I/59 of July 28, 2022, and stated in paragraph 2 of your letter, has been increased to 25 per cent which accounted for the increased cost implications. This Commission is really pleased with the success your informal discussions have achieved.
“We shall endeavour to support all your efforts aimed at repositioning the education sector. Please, accept the assurances of my warm regards.”
Following this, the commission proceeded to issue a circular also dated September 14, 2023, and addressed to the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, and the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, among others, informing them of the implementation of the newly reviewed salaries.
Also, a letter from the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation dated September 21, 2023, which was made available to our correspondent on Friday in Abuja confirmed the increment.
The letter, which was signed on behalf of the Director of Human Resources, of the office, Ajanaku F. O. read, “I am directed to inform you that the Presidential Committee on Salaries at its 13th meeting, having taken into consideration the different stages of collective bargaining in various sectors and specifically engagements between the Federal Ministry of Education and tertiary Institutions-based unions, and consequently, the Federal Government’s approval is hereby conveyed as revised for the following:
“Consolidated Polytechnics and Colleges of Education Salary Structure for Academic Staff of Federal Polytechnics and Colleges of Education with effect from January 1, 2023.
“Consolidated Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure II for non-Academic Staff of Federal Universities, with effect from January 1, 2023.
“Consolidated Tertiary Education Institutions Salary Structure for non-Academic Staff of Federal Polytechnics and Colleges of Education, with effect from January 1, 2023.
“Consolidated University Academic Salary Structure II for Academic Staff of Federal University with effect from January 1, 2023.”
(Punch)
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