The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), IBB University Lapai chapter, has rejected reports that the ongoing strike at the institution is nearing an end following the reported release of ₦300 million by the Niger State Government.
Chairman of the union, Dr. Galarima Bala, made the clarification in an interview, saying the reported payment does not address the major issue that led to the strike.
According to Bala, the union's dispute with the state government centres on the implementation of the new salary structure contained in the Federal Government-ASUU agreement, rather than Earned Academic Allowance (EAA).
He said the union had already reached an understanding with the government on EAA, adding that the reported ₦300 million payment therefore does not resolve the outstanding salary implementation issue.
“The issue is the implementation of the new salary package as contained in the Federal Government-ASUU agreement. The difference between what we are currently being paid and what should be paid is about ₦56 million monthly,” Bala said.
He explained that the outstanding difference had accumulated over several months, stressing that the union was seeking a concrete commitment and implementation plan from the government.
Bala also said ASUU was not aware of the reported meeting between the university management and the state government where the ₦300 million release was reportedly announced.
He said the university's Vice-Chancellor and management team had visited the Governor, Umaru Bago, but that he understood the visit to have been for a condolence visit over the deaths of 37 miners in Niger State.
According to him, the outcome of the meeting and the reported payment subsequently came to the union as a surprise.
Bala further disclosed that a committee from the Niger State House of Assembly had visited the university approximately two weeks earlier and interacted with the union over the dispute.
He said the committee promised to mediate between ASUU and the state government but that the union had yet to receive a further communication from the committee.
On the conditions for ending the strike, the ASUU chairman said the union was prepared to suspend the action if the government presented a clear and credible implementation plan.
He said the government might not be able to settle all outstanding payments immediately but could provide a timetable for implementation and payment of arrears.
“ASUU can end the strike even within this week. What we need is for the government to do the needful and come up with an action plan that genuinely shows its commitment to resolving the matter,” he said.
Bala also expressed concern about the effect of the prolonged strike on the university's academic calendar, particularly as other universities continue with their academic activities.
The ASUU chairman maintained that the union's position would require a written agreement or formal commitment from the government rather than verbal assurances.
The clarification comes amid reports suggesting that the release of ₦300 million was part of efforts to resolve the dispute and facilitate the reopening of IBB University, Lapai.
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