The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities and the Non-Academic Staff Union, University of Ilorin chapter, have criticised the Federal Government over the sharing formula for the N50bn released as earned allowances for university workers.
According to the unions, the Federal Government allocated 80% of the funds to academic staff, leaving only 20% for the three non-teaching unions: SSANU, NASU, and the National Association of Academic Technologists.
The sharing formula has sparked widespread dissatisfaction among non-teaching staff nationwide.
Speaking with Saturday PUNCH, the UNILORIN SSANU Chairman, Falowo Olushola, described the sharing formula as a “clear case of robbing Peter to pay Paul,” and a gross injustice to non-teaching staff.
“We reject this sharing formula outright because it lacks justice, equity, and fairness,” Olushola said.
He said the formula was not only provocative but also dangerous to the stability of the public universities.
Olushola stated that no group within the university system held a monopoly on productivity, performance, or impact, and as such, any disparity in treatment was a threat to institutional harmony.
“The university runs on the collective input of both teaching and non-teaching staff. Giving 80% to one union while the rest share 20% is unacceptable and totally rejected by all non-teaching unions,” he stated.
The SSANU chairman called on the Federal Government, especially the Minister of Education, to intervene immediately and halt the implementation of what he termed a “divisive and unjust sharing formula.”
He warned that such lopsidedness could trigger an industrial crisis if not addressed swiftly.
“We urge well-meaning Nigerians and stakeholders in the education sector to intervene before this injustice degenerates into a full-blown crisis. The peace and stability of our public universities are at stake,” he added.
Similarly, NASU Chairman at UNILORIN, Zuberu Ibrahim, also rejected the formula and urged the government to reconsider it.
“We are not happy with this development. We hope it’s a rumour. But if it is true, the government should return to the drawing board and adopt a fairer formula — either 50/50 or at most 60/40,” he said.