The Joint Action Committee of the Non-Academic Staff Union and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities has confirmed the release by the Federal Government of the N22.127 billion earned allowance.
President Muhammadu Buhari had, last Saturday, insisted that the Federal Government had released the earned allowance.
This runs contrary to the position of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) that the earned allowance was yet to be paid.
However, despite the release of the fund, the JAC has directed Bursars of universities not to effect disbursement.
This is because the non-academic staff are contesting the sharing formula of the N22.127billion.
It told the bursars to remember an earlier circular dated November 15, 2021, which stated that: “Should the Federal Government go-ahead to release the fund for earned allowance in line with the unfavourably skewed formula, no branch or member of JAC of NASU and SSANU in any unit/department, bursary inclusive should partake in the disbursement.”
It added: “Branches of JAC are therefore reminded of the need for them to comply strictly with the directive regarding their submission of the necessary information in respect of what has been paid as earned allowances to them from inception and what is outstanding as this will enable the national JAC to be in a position to respond to the government demand for us to avail it with what is actually outstanding for payment to our members.”
Meanwhile, the ASUU held its National Executive Committee meeting, last Saturday, to review the progress of meetings held with zonal affiliate bodies following the recent expiration of its deadline to the Federal Government to meet its demands.
The meeting, which was held at the union’s national secretariat, located inside the University of Abuja main campus, took far-reaching decisions.
The meeting, which was also said to have started some few minutes past 3pm, ended at about 8:30pm.
But the union, which had last week said Nigerians would know its next line of action immediately, following the expiration of its ultimatum and the inability of the government to accede to its demands, decided to keep mum on the outcome of Saturday’s meeting.
National President of ASUU, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, said, yesterday, that the union’s decision would be communicated to the public.
He, however, declined to state when the decisions would be to the public.
Asked to state when the communication would be made, he said, “We will let you know”, refusing to say anything further.
Also contacted to speak on the outcome of the Saturday meeting, the University of Abuja ASUU Chairman, Dr Kasim Umar, declined comments.
He said, “It is only the national president of ASUU that can talk on the outcome of our meeting”.