President Bola Tinubu has invoked the principle of the presidential prerogative of mercy to grant an exceptional last waiver of the “no work, no pay” order to members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
This was disclosed in a statement signed by Ajuri Ngelale, special adviser to the president on media and publicity on Friday October 20, 2023.
According to the statement, this followed the conclusion of an eight-month-long industrial action, which began on February 14, 2022, and was brought to a close on October 17, 2022.
“President Tinubu’s decision to grant this waiver is rooted in his determination to ease the challenges faced during the implementation of critical economic reforms in Nigeria,” the statement reads.
Additionally, it signifies his appreciation for the faithful adherence to the terms mutually agreed upon during the constructive discussions between ASUU and the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Under the president’s directive, ASUU members, who were previously subject to the “no work, no pay” order, will now receive four months of withheld salary accruals out of the total eight months during which they were engaged in industrial action.
However, it’s essential to note that the president has attached a mandatory condition to this exceptional waiver.
The federal ministry of education and the federal ministry of labour and employment are entrusted with the responsibility of establishing a Document of Understanding (DoU).
This document will cement the commitment that this particular waiver will be the final one granted to ASUU and other unions within the education sector.
President Tinubu’s move is seen as a significant step towards reconciliation and resolution in the education sector, emphasising the importance of honouring agreements while also addressing the financial hardships faced by the academic staff.
The nation awaits the response and actions of the relevant ministries to formalise this arrangement.
