According to The Lagosreporters, the National Salaries, Wages, and Income Commission of the Federal Government has approved a new percentage increase in salaries for both academic and non-academic staff members in all tertiary institutions across the country. The increment for junior staff members has been raised from 23.5% to 25%, which was reviewed last year. The arrears of the increment from January 2023 will also be paid.
However, there was no mention of the withheld salaries of academics and non-academics who went on strike in 2022. Our correspondent learned that Professor Tahir Mamman, the Minister of Education, previously reached out to Ekpo Nta, the Chairman of the NSIWC, to inquire about the collective status.
According to sources at the Ministry of Education, the minister’s decision to write to the NSIWC may be related to recent visits by academic unions and pressure groups. When asked if polytechnic lecturers were aware of the situation, the National President of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, Dr. Anderson Ezeibe, confirmed that they had heard the news and were looking forward to the implementation. He stated that junior lecturers would receive a 25% increase, while chief lecturers and professors would receive a 35% increase.
The National Vice-President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Prof. Chris Piwuna, clarified that such a letter would be addressed to university management and not ASUU. Additionally, a letter written by the Chief Executive Officer/Chairman of the NSIWC, Eyo Nta, was obtained by our correspondent in Abuja on Friday. The letter was sent to the Minister of Education on September 14, 2023, just before his departure to the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
One of the letters tagged, ‘RE: Implementation of the 35% and 23.5% salary increment for staff of tertiary institutions,’ reads, “I refer to your letter No. FME/IS/UNI/ASUU/C.I/IT?/90 dated 8th September 2023 in respect of the above subject. Find attached the circulars pertaining to the four salary structures in the Universities, Polytechnics, and Colleges of Education for your information (attached).
“The 23.5% earlier reflected in our letter SWC/S/04/S.149/I/59 of 28 July 2022 and stated in paragraph 2 of your letter, has been increased to 25% which accounted for the increased cost implications. This Commission is really pleased with the success your informal discussions have achieved. We shall endeavor to support all your efforts aimed at repositioning the education sector. Please accept the assurances of my warm regards.”
Following this, the commission proceeded to issue a circular also dated September 14, 2023, and addressed to the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Office of the Accountant General of the Federation among others informing them of the implementation of the newly reviewed salaries.
The circular reads, “ The Presidential Committee on Salaries at its 13th meeting having taken into consideration the various stages of collective bargaining in various sectors, and specifically engagements between the Federal Ministry of Education and Tertiary Institutions-based Unions, and consequent upon the Federal Government’s approval, as well as 2023 budgetary provisions, approval is hereby conveyed for the revision of the Consolidated Polytechnics and Colleges of Education Salary Structure for academic staff of Federal Polytechnics and Colleges of Education, with effect from 1st January 2023.”
Also, a letter from the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation dated September 21, 2023, which was made available to our correspondent on Friday in Abuja confirmed the increment.
The letter which was signed on behalf of the Director, Human Resources of the office, Ajanaku F.O reads, “I am directed to inform you that the Presidential Committee on Salaries at its 13th meeting having taken into consideration the different stages of collective bargaining in various sectors and specifically engagements between the Federal Ministry of Education and Tertiary Institutions-based Unions and consequently the Federal Government’s approval, is hereby conveyed as revised for the following:-
“Consolidated Polytechnics and Colleges of Education Salary Structure for Academic Staff of Federal Polytechnics and Colleges of Education with effect from 1st January, 2023.
“Consolidated Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure II for non-Academic Staff of Federal Universities, with effect from 1st January, 2023.
“Consolidated Tertiary Education Institutions Salary Structure for non–Academic Staff of Federal Polytechnics and Colleges of Education, with effect from 1st January, 2023.
“Consolidated University Academic Salary Structure II (CONUASS II) for Academic Staff of Federal University with effect from 1st January, 2023.”