Juliet Ezeh
Nigeria’s university system may be heading toward another round of disruption as the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) has warned it cannot guarantee industrial peace over what it described as a “paltry” offer by the Federal Government in ongoing renegotiation talks.
In a statement issued Tuesday and signed by its President, Ibeji Nwokoma, the union expressed frustration over the prolonged delay in concluding the review of the 2009 FGN/NAAT agreement, a process that has lingered for nearly a decade.
The warning followed deliberations at NAAT’s 62nd National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at the National Secretariat Complex of Yakubu Gowon University (formerly University of Abuja) on April 16, 2026, where members raised concerns over worsening welfare conditions, chronic underfunding, and what they termed the Federal Government’s continued neglect of the education sector.
NAAT said negotiations, which began in 2017, have passed through multiple committees—including those chaired by Wale Babalakin, Munzali Jibril, the late Nimi Briggs, and currently Yayale Ahmed—yet have failed to produce a satisfactory outcome.
Although the union acknowledged some progress by the Yayale Ahmed-led committee, it rejected the latest proposal presented on March 31, 2026, at the National Universities Commission, describing it as grossly inadequate in addressing current economic realities.
According to NAAT, the offer does not reflect the rising cost of living, including increases in fuel, electricity, and cooking gas, leaving its members worse off amid Nigeria’s economic pressures.
The union also faulted what it called unilateral actions by government agencies, particularly a directive from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service approving a 30 percent allowance increase for non-teaching staff without concluding negotiations with NAAT.
It warned that such decisions undermine collective bargaining principles, create wage disparities, and risk deepening divisions within the university system.
“NAAT rejects this award and will resist it through all legal means,” the statement said, adding that it would oppose any attempt to implement policies perceived as divisive.
The association called on key stakeholders—including the Nigeria Labour Congress, civil society groups, religious leaders, students, and parents—to pressure the government to urgently reconvene negotiations and reach a fair agreement.
It cautioned that failure to act swiftly could trigger widespread academic disruption across Nigerian universities.
The latest warning comes amid similar concerns raised by other university unions, including the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, the Non-Academic Staff Union, and the Academic Staff Union of Universities, all of which have flagged unresolved welfare issues and stalled agreements with the Federal Government.
With tensions rising across the tertiary education sector, stakeholders fear that Nigeria’s already fragile academic calendar could face another major setback if negotiations collapse.
Juliet Ezeh is the founder and chief reporter at Westbridge Reporters with over 7 years of experience in journalism. She covers crime, industry, policy, and social developments, delivering timely and accurate reporting.