Some employees of the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) in Ondo State held a protest on the university campus over the alleged failure of the administration to pay their allowances.
The workers, acting through the FUTA branch of the National Association of Non-Teaching Staff of Nigerian Universities, claimed that the institution had paid the allowances to members of staff affiliated with other associations on campus but had omitted them.
The angry workers, chanting a variety of solidarity songs, went to the Vice-Chancellor’s office to make their complaint and promised to create unrest at the university until their request had been fulfilled.
At the protest, the Chairman of the union, Adebayo Aladerotohun, stated that the allowances, the Consolidated Tertiary Institutions Allowance and the End Allowances—had been approved by the Federal Government; yet the institution is said to have failed to pay the members of his association.
He remarked that an extremely unfortunate incident took place at FUTA yesterday; indeed, an extremely unfortunate incident which has established a very bad precedent occurred on this campus on Wednesday, when our names were taken off the payroll regarding the payment of the CONTA and END allowances which had been duly approved for the system by the federal government.
We have just realised that the previous day they had paid us and then refused to do so. Therefore, we see that the university has put the government’s circulars into effect, but it has done so incorrectly. Moreover, the university is supporting a certain union.
Yes, we do have letters of appointment; these letters of appointment state that you will be entitled to the approved government allowances. Whenever the government is approving anything for the system, we have the right to it.
The provisions set out in our letters of appointment take precedence over anything provided in a collective agreement when it comes to implementation. That is why management was wrong to violate our instruments of appointment.
The chairman said that they would take legal action if the management of the institution did not respond to their demand within seven days.
Aladerotohun declared that a seven day ultimatum would be given to them from today, after which legal action would be taken against the management.
The vice-chancellor of FUTA, Prof. Taiwo Amos, told the protesters to remain calm and stated that the issue would be settled amicably.
The don stated that individuals have the right to form unions and that the management is not opposed to this; it will never refuse anybody what they are entitled to, and he wanted that point to be recorded.
He added that management is considering the matter on the ground, that it is being discussed at the highest level, and that management has also decided to meet again with the executive of the association.
I would like to ask you all to simply allow ourselves a few moments; it would be better if we sat down and had a conversation, for nothing can be achieved if we are arguing. We can observe what is taking place in other institutions which are going through crises, and where there are crises, progress can never occur.
Therefore, we are asking that we remain calm and, since it is immediately possible to settle this matter, I am certain it will turn out to be in your favour.
He urged the workers to “allow us a little while” so that we could have an opportunity to interact with the executive, stressing that nobody would take advantage of anyone since we all knew that we were working together for the progress of FUTA.
