CONUA hopeful of salary payment

• Published date: 16 January 2023
• Publication title: Nigeria - The Nation

MEMBERS of the Congress of University Academics (CONUA) have been requested to provide the Office of Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) with their membership details through the union.

The request was made in connection to the eight months' salaries of varsity workers which the Federal Government has declined to pay.

The salaries covered the eight-month period the strike called by Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) lasted last year.

CONUA, which distanced its members from the strike, asked that the government to its members' salaries.

In a January 13, 2023 circular obtained yesterday by The Nation, the AGF requested CONUA President, Dr. Niyi Sunmonu, to provide soft copy details of the CONUA members in all varsities to enable the office to effect the payment of the withheld salaries.

The Federal Government applied the 'No work, no play' rule on the lecturers during their strike which lasted from February to September last year.

After the suspension of the industrial action on October 14, the government paid half salaries to the lecturers', saying the payment was on a pro-rata basis.

But, the circular from OAGF, signed by the Director, Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System, Charles Wali, came following several clarifications by CONUA that its members were not a party to the strike declared by ASUU.

The circular reads: 'I am directed to acknowledge receipt of your letter on the above subject matter dated November 2, 2022, in respect of payment of your withheld backlog of salaries and to request you to provide soft copy of membership of CONUA across universities to enable payment as requested.

'Meanwhile, you may wish to forward the following details to facilitate seamless deduction and remittance of check-off dues:

Evidence of registration

Official...