The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has concluded plans to embark on a one-day nationwide protest over the payment of half salaries to lecturers by the Federal Government in October.

ASUU National President, Prof Emmanuel Osodeke confirmed the development to Channels Television on Monday.

According to him, the planned protest was organised at the branch levels of ASUU nationwide and each branch of the academic union would choose their dates.

Similarly, the chairperson of ASUU, the University of Lagos branch, Dr Dele Ashiru confirmed the development to Channels Television on Monday.

He said the protest will hold on Tuesday, November 15, 2022 at the Julius Berger auditorium in UNILAG.

Ashiru noted that the action is necessary to protest the “no-work, no-pay” policy for lecturers activated by the Federal Government.

Last week, ASUU slammed the Federal Government over the payment of half salaries to lecturers in October.

The union condemned the ‘pro-rata’ payment to its members and accused the government of an attempt to reduce Nigerian scholars to casual workers.

ASUU had on October 14, 2022, called off its eight-month strike after the National Industrial Court ordered the lecturers to resume.

The union, however, said the response of the government, especially its ‘pro-rata’ payment of October salaries of academics, portrayed them as daily paid workers.

“This is not only an aberration but a contravention of all-known rules of engagement in any contract of employment for academics the world over,” the union stated.

FG Defends Half Salary Payment

However, the Federal Government defended the pro-rata payment to ASUU members in October, saying they cannot be paid for work not done.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, through the ministry’s spokesman, Olajide Oshundun, also dismissed media reports that the government was biased in paying the university teachers.

“They were paid in pro-rata to the number of days that they worked in October, counting from the day that they suspended their industrial action,” the statement partly read.

“Pro-rata was done because you cannot pay them for work not done. Everybody’s hands are tied,” he said.

‘No Work No Pay Is Legal’

Also, the speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila said the ‘no work no pay’ policy embarked on by the Federal Government during the period of strike, Gbajabiamila said, is premised on the law.

He said the decision is based on the government’s legitimate interest in preventing moral hazard and discouraging disruptive industrial actions.

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