The National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) has given the federal government a 14-day ultimatum to address unresolved issues, threatening an indefinite strike if its demands are not met.
NAAT President, Comrade Ibeji Nwokoma, stated this during a peaceful protest at the University of Maiduguri in Borno State on Wednesday.
Nwokoma expressed disappointment and concern over the Minister of Finance’s delay in releasing withheld salaries, despite President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval.
He called the delay ‘unfortunate and regrettable,’ questioning the government’s willingness to address NAAT’s outstanding issues.
“The refusal by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy to effect this approval raises more questions than answers regarding the Federal Government’s sincerity in resolving these issues and alleviating the suffering of Nigerians, particularly NAAT members,” he said.
Nwokoma who was represented by the University of Maiduguri NAAT Acting Chairman, Yusuf Zangoma, outlined the union’s demands, which include the payment of withheld salaries, full implementation of the 2009 FGN/NAAT Agreement, settlement of Earned Allowances arrears, and upgrading public university laboratories.
NAAT has instructed its branches to organize protests and congresses, and if the government fails to meet its demands by November 13, 2024, the union will initiate a national protest and indefinite strike.
This ultimatum aligns with similar actions taken by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), which has also given the Federal Government a 14-day deadline to address issues like the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement and the release of withheld salaries from the 2022 strike.