SSANU Kicks, Condemns FG’s Distribution Formula, Demands Fairness

The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) chapter of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has vehemently condemned the Federal Government’s proposed 20-80 percent sharing formula for the recently released N50 billion Earned Allowance (EA) and Earned Academic Allowance (EAA).

The union, representing non-teaching staff, describes the allocation formula as “unjust” and a direct breach of a prior agreement.

In a strong statement released by its Chairman, Comrade Olugbenga Alayode, SSANU-FUNAAB demanded an immediate reversal of the contentious formula, advocating instead for an equitable 50-50 percent distribution between teaching and non-teaching staff.

The N50 billion allocation, intended to settle outstanding earned allowances across public universities, has ignited fresh tensions within the Nigerian university system, ValidViewNetwork reports.

SSANU argues that the 20-80 percent split, which allocates 80% to teaching staff (comprising the Earned Academic Allowance) and only 20% to non-teaching staff (covering Earned Allowance for all other cadres), disregards a crucial agreement reached on August 23, 2022, by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Non-Teaching unions, SSANU and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), with the Federal Government.

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“We insist that the N50bn should be disbursed to universities to share among their staff in an equitable manner, without any form of favoritism or discrimination,” Comrade Alayode stated, emphasizing the need for all university staff to benefit fairly from the allocation, regardless of their cadre.

The union further warned the Federal Government against actions that could “cause further divisions within the University system.” SSANU-FUNAAB reiterated its readiness to take “necessary actions as may be directed by our National Executives Council (NEC)” to protect the interests of its members if the perceived injustice is not promptly addressed.

This recent outcry from SSANU-FUNAAB reflects broader discontent among non-teaching university staff unions across Nigeria, who have consistently argued for fair treatment in the disbursement of earned allowances. The long-standing issue of earned allowances has been a frequent source of industrial disputes in Nigerian universities, often leading to strikes that disrupt academic calendars.

ValidViewNetwork reports that as of press time, there has been no official response from the Federal Government or the Ministry of Education regarding SSANU’s demand for a revised sharing formula.

Stakeholders are now closely watching to see how the government will address this renewed agitation, particularly given the historical sensitivity of earned allowance disbursements and their potential to ignite widespread industrial action across the nation’s tertiary institutions.

SSANU-FUNAAB concludes its statement by asserting its unwavering commitment to “integrity, equity and justice in solidarity with all its members.”