Varsity Workers Urge Govt To Conclude 2009 Agreement, Clear Salary Arrears

National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) has asked the federal government to urgently conclude the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/NAAT Agreement, warning that continued delays are deepening welfare challenges for academic technologists and undermining the quality of teaching and research in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.

The appeal was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the 61st regular meeting of NAAT’s National Executive Council (NEC), signed by its national president, Comrade Ibeji Nwokoma.

In the document, the NEC expressed concern over what it described as prolonged delays in the renegotiation process, urging the federal government to intensify engagement with the union to reach a timely and mutually acceptable outcome.

The council stated that the prompt resolution of the agreement was crucial to enhancing the welfare and working conditions of academic technologists and strengthening the technological capacity within the education sector.

The council also drew attention to the persistent problem of erratic power supply, noting that it has continued to disrupt laboratory operations, compromise students’ practical training and limit research output across public tertiary institutions.

NAAT called for the urgent deployment of alternative energy solutions, including solar and wind power, to stabilise electricity supply for teaching, learning and research activities.

The communique reads in parts, “The NEC reviewed the ongoing renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/NAAT Agreement with utmost concern and urges the federal government to intensify efforts towards achieving a timely, logical and mutually acceptable conclusion”.

On taxation, the union stated: “The NEC strongly advocates an annual income tax exemption threshold of N2,000,000, instead of the current N800,000, which is grossly inadequate. This measure is crucial to shielding vulnerable individuals and households from undue tax burdens and ensuring that tax reforms promote equity and alleviate financial pressures on susceptible groups.

NAAT further requests that, for academic technologists, only the fundamental salary component be subjected to tax, while all allowances and other components remain tax-free.”

Addressing national security concerns, the NEC acknowledged the ongoing government efforts to curb insecurity but stated that the situation required broader strategies and increased deployment of resources.

The association also expressed concern over the deteriorating state of roads across the country, describing many as hazardous to commuters. While commending federal and state governments for ongoing construction projects, NAAT urged the prioritisation of urgent repairs on existing road networks and the completion of abandoned projects to improve safety and connectivity.

In addition, the union appealed for the immediate release of three and a half months of withheld salaries owed to its members, alongside outstanding arrears arising from promotions, the 25% and 35% salary increments, the N35,000 wage award, and the consequential adjustment to the N70,000 minimum wage.

NAAT stated that the prompt settlement of these obligations was necessary to mitigate the impact of prevailing economic hardship on academic technologists and restore stability within the tertiary education system.