Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has denied the federal government’s claims regarding the release of N50 billion as Academic Earned Allowance (AEA) intended for settling outstanding debts owed to its members.
ASUU officials who preferred to remain anonymous due to strict restrictions on speaking to the media, stated that they had yet to receive any official communication from the government regarding the reported release of the funds.
They emphasised that their demand extends beyond the alleged N50 billion, calling instead for comprehensive funding of the university system.
According to them, this includes the immediate implementation of the 2009 agreement that stipulates an annual allocation of N220 billion as revitalisation fund.
The officials spoke to journalists during a visit to the ASUU secretariat at the University of Abuja campus, where many members disapprove of the government’s claims regarding the N50 billion release.
One of the officials stated that ASUU’s leadership was currently analysing the situation and plans to release an official statement soon.
“Our national president, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, is seriously concerned about the media reports surrounding this issue. The N50 billion is grossly inadequate and does not meet the union’s demands. We insist that the government urgently provides N220 billion annually for the universities’ revitalisation fund, along with N150 billion in Earned Allowance owed to our members,” he said.
He further indicated that if it was confirmed that the N50 billion had indeed been allocated as earned allowance, the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) would unequivocally reject it.
“Feelers from our NEC suggest strong discontent among members regarding the manner in which the government has communicated this release through the media while failing to engage with us directly.
“ASUU perceives that the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, may be playing politics with the implementation of the 2009 agreement,” he added.
He criticised the reported N50 billion release, adding, “This figure has never been included in our demands. What we require is for the government to fulfill its commitment to the revitalisation project.
“We have asked for N150 billion as earned allowance, so it’s unclear how they arrived at the N50 billion figure. Make no mistake, we will reject this.
“We need necessary assessment projects in the universities to enhance the teaching and learning environment and address the issue of dilapidated infrastructure.”
