The N50 billion recently released to workers in federal universities may brew a fresh industrial crisis in the ivory towers because the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) have rejected the sharing formula of 80:20 between teaching and non-teaching staff.

Meanwhile, as the newly elected President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Prof. Chris Piwuna, is set to officially take over the leadership of the union this week from Prof Emmanuel Osodeke, he is expected to renew agitation for the implementation of the union’s demands from the government.

In a communiqué of the JAC signed jointly by the General Secretary of NASU, Peters Adeyemi, and National President of SSANU, Mohammed Ibrahim, the non-teaching staff unions expressed deep displeasure, outrage and firm rejection of the recent distribution formula adopted for the disbursement of the N50 billion approved by the Federal Government for university-based unions.

The joint communiqué reads: “We have received, with utter disappointment, the information that 80 per cent of the sum has been allocated solely to ASUU, while the remaining 20 per cent is expected to be shared among SSANU, NASU and National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT). This lopsided arrangement is grossly unfair, provocative, totally unacceptable and capable of creating industrial disharmony, thereby further accentuating the teaching/non-teaching staff dichotomy in Nigerian universities.”

The unions insisted that the non-teaching staff of universities were not second-class citizens but are critical stakeholders who contribute immensely to the day-to-day functionality, administrative efficiency, research excellence, technical operations and overall development of the Nigerian university system.

The unions said the latest attempt to diminish their role and worth through inequitable distribution was an injustice they would not accept in silence.

“We wish to make it clear that this is not a contest of supremacy among unions. Rather, it is about fairness, recognition and the equitable treatment of all workers who form the backbone of the Nigerian university system,” JAC of NASU and SSANU stated.

They maintained that a harmonious and productive academic environment could only be achieved when all stakeholders were treated with respect, dignity and fairness.

PIWUNA, who until his election served as the Vice President of ASUU, emerged as the union’s new leader penultimate Sunday at the 23rd National Delegates Congress held in Benin City, Edo State. He defeated Prof Adamu Babayo of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, in the contest.

The new ASUU helmsman, who is the Dean of Students Affairs at the University of Jos (UNIJOS) and a Consultant Psychiatrist at UNIJOS Teaching Hospital, is expected to renew agitation for the immediate implementation of ASUU’s long-standing demands from the Federal Government as he assumes office.

Piwuna is set to outline his plans and address the pressing issues during the official handing-over ceremony, scheduled to take place at ASUU’s National Headquarters, located at the University of Abuja. Sources within the union indicate that the transition of leadership between Piwuna and Osodeke is expected to be completed before Thursday this week.

Despite the government’s claims of meeting 80 per cent of ASUU’s demands, the union maintains that major issues remain unresolved. These demands include university autonomy, increased funding, payment of outstanding academic allowances, and improved salaries for its members.