ASUU ATBU Embarks on Work Boycott Over Delayed June Salary—Academic Activities Disrupted!

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi Branch, has announced that its members have ceased their services due to the delay in receiving their salaries for June.

In an interview with reporters at the union’s secretariat on Friday, the ASUU chairperson, Dr. Angulu Haruna, made this announcement.

He mentioned that the federal government’s consistent delays in the payment of their monthly salaries appear to be a purposeful act, implying that ASUU is less favored compared to other organizations.

“Our salaries typically extend into the first week of the following month. While other governmental bodies receive their payments, federal universities are often excluded from this process.”

“When we inquire about the delays, we are frequently informed that it is a result of our transition from the IPPIS, which leads us to believe that there is preferential treatment being given to other organizations.”

“During one of our National Executive Council meetings, it was determined that if the government does not disburse our salaries between the 1st and 3rd of the subsequent month, branches are instructed to initiate the ANC.”

“This refers to active non-compliance. This means we will report to work, but we will not provide our services; we will refrain from teaching in the classrooms. Currently, that represents our situation,” the ASUU chairperson explained.

Haruna clarified that their current actions do not constitute a strike but are a response to a directive from the National Secretariat aimed at urging the government to meet its commitments to university lecturers.

He stated, “This is not a strike. The ANC signifies that we are present, yet we are not performing our primary responsibilities. We are not fulfilling the obligations expected of us. We have not shut down the school; as evidenced by our presence, we have come from our homes to be here.”

“This action will persist until the federal government takes appropriate measures and pays our salaries. If our salaries were to be paid right now, we would immediately return to teaching.”

Furthermore, the former chairperson of the branch, Dr. Ibrahim Inuwa, pointed out that it has become a norm for lecturers to experience delays in receiving their payments.

Inuwa remarked, “Given the current circumstances, it seems as though they are attempting to penalize us for withdrawing from the IPPIS, which is truly unfortunate.”

“There was a month when we had to wait until almost two weeks into the next month before our salaries were issued. If payment is made, we will resume our duties; for the moment, we will not be teaching in the classrooms, but we will still report to work.”