OAU Staff Protest Five Months of Unpaid Salaries, Unfulfilled Agreements

Members of the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife staged a peaceful protest on Wednesday to demand payment of five months’ worth of unpaid salaries and outstanding arrears.

The protest, held on the university campus, saw union members holding up placards with strong messages, including “We Say No To Unfair Treatment” and “Respect Our 2009 Agreement.” The union criticised the federal government for failing to uphold terms agreed upon in a 2009 pact.

The OAU NAAT Chairman, Mr. Matthew Oluwaniyi, represented at the protest by Vice Chairman Aminu Rotimi, explained that the delay in salaries began following a five-and-a-half-month strike held by union members in 2022.

Since then, only one month’s withheld salary has been released, back in October, with the government yet to address the remaining unpaid months or provide any formal communication on future payments.

Oluwaniyi also drew attention to unresolved issues, specifically unpaid occupational hazard allowances and additional arrears owed to union members.

Former union secretary Dr. Taoreed Adesiyan raised further concerns, particularly highlighting the severe shortage of laboratory staff across Nigeria.

According to Dr. Adesiyan, the existing staff are increasingly overworked, resulting in high stress levels and health risks due to the intensifying workload.

The union emphasised its commitment to continuing these demands until all outstanding entitlements are settled and conditions for academic technologists are improved.