The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities has advised the Federal government to speed up action on the long-awaited review of the 2009 arrangement with university-based unions, cautioning that growing frustration among its members might trigger fresh unrest within the university system.
Speaking at the 79th Zonal Executive Council conference of the union held at Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, the National Vice President of SSANU and Chairman of the Western Zone, Dr Abdussobour Salaam, said the prolonged delay in concluding the negotiation process was ending up being increasingly challenging for members to tolerate.
The meeting united delegates from 26 universities throughout the South-West to discuss problems impacting non-teaching staff, including welfare, remuneration, career development, labour relations, and the pending contract with the government.
Salaam kept in mind that discussions on the review of the arrangement, which is being collaborated by a committee chaired by previous Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed, had actually reached an advanced stage despite several barriers experienced throughout the procedure.
According to him, the settlements have actually made considerable progress, but the last has actually been slowed by obstacles that have actually delayed the signing and application of the contract.
He acknowledged the function played by President Bola Tinubu in sustaining the negotiation platform and making sure that talks continued regardless of efforts by some interests to derail the process.
The union leader expressed concern that a review system initially designed to happen every three years had actually been neglected for more than a decade.
He described that after the 2009 agreement, subsequent reviews expected in 2012, 2015, 2018 and 2021 were not performed, leading to a prolonged backlog of unsettled concerns impacting university workers.
Salaam interested the Federal Government to make sure that the process reaches an effective conclusion without disturbance from people or groups not directly associated with the negotiations.
He warned that the perseverance of SSANU members was slowly being tired, noting that the union had formerly suspended industrial action to create room for discussion and tranquil engagement.
According to him, members are becoming increasingly dissatisfied with the hold-up, and the union’s leadership might be obliged to consult its pertinent organs on the next line of action if there is no progress within an affordable timeframe.
Regardless of the growing discontent, Salaam maintained that SSANU remains committed to discussion and positive engagement instead of conflict.
He stressed that the union has actually regularly prioritised interaction and settlement in dealing with disagreements, adding that industrial action is normally considered just after all tranquil avenues have actually been exhausted.
The SSANU authorities likewise contacted the Federal Government to present procedures that would reduce the economic problem on Nigerians amid increasing inflation and the increasing cost of living.
He stated current economic conditions require ingenious interventions efficient in offering relief to people having problem with the effects of current financial reforms and persistent price increases.
On staff well-being, Salaam restated the union’s demand for broader career development opportunities for non-teaching staff within the university system.
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He particularly promoted broader access to the CONTISS 15 salary grade level, arguing that many competent personnel stay stalled at lower levels despite having the experience and competence needed for promo.
He applauded the management of Olabisi Onabanjo University for executing policies that permit eligible team member to attain the greatest grade level within the non-teaching cadre, describing the relocation as a spirits booster.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof Ayodeji Agboola, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Prof Oladipo Olubomehin, praised SSANU for its contributions to the institution’s stability and progress.
He assured members that the university administration would continue to prioritise personnel welfare and keep a collective relationship with unions in pursuit of scholastic excellence.
In his welcome remarks, the chairman of the SSANU branch at Olabisi Onabanjo University, Dr Abiodun Lamina, acknowledged the university management’s efforts in making sure prompt salary payments and implementing CONTISS 15 for certified employees.
However, he identified personnel scarcities, transportation costs, staff training needs, reliable utilisation of TETFund allotments for non-teaching staff, and enhanced working conditions as locations requiring urgent attention.