The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) has called for equal treatment with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in the ongoing renegotiation of allowances with the Federal Government.
NASU General Secretary, Peters Adeyemi, made the demand while speaking with journalists in Geneva, Switzerland, on Sunday during the 114th session of the International Labour Conference (ILC).
Adeyemi insisted that non-academic workers in the university system should enjoy the same welfare benefits as their academic counterparts, stressing that they face similar economic challenges.
According to him, the union is seeking parity following the Federal Government’s approval of a 40 percent increase in allowances for ASUU members.
He argued that NASU members play vital roles in the smooth running of universities and should not be excluded from similar welfare adjustments.
“We are demanding that whatever is given to ASUU should also be given to us because we face the same economic realities,” Adeyemi said.
He revealed that NASU had earlier rejected a 30 percent increase in allowances offered by the government, describing it as inadequate compared to what was granted to ASUU.
“Government offered us 30 percent and we said no. Though they are our senior colleagues, but we all go to the same market and buy the same fuel,” he added.
Adeyemi further noted that basic living costs such as rent and utilities affect all categories of workers equally, regardless of their job descriptions.
“The cost of living affects all workers equally. We cannot accept a situation where one group receives significantly better allowances than another,” he said.
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He explained that negotiations with the Federal Government were at an advanced stage in the university sector and nearing conclusion, adding that the outcome would also influence talks in polytechnics and colleges of education.
“We are almost reaching the end of the renegotiation process for universities. Once we conclude that, the other sectors may not be as difficult,” he said.
The NASU leader also criticised delays in implementing agreements reached with labour unions, warning that such actions often trigger industrial unrest in the education sector.
He emphasised the importance of good faith in collective bargaining, saying agreements must be honoured once reached.
“When agreements are freely entered into, they should be implemented. Failure to do so only creates avoidable crises in the education sector,” he said.
Adeyemi expressed optimism that the ongoing negotiations would lead to improved welfare conditions for non-academic staff across federal tertiary institutions, while reaffirming NASU’s commitment to dialogue and fairness.