By Milcah Tanimu

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) leadership has expressed its lack of awareness regarding President Bola Tinubu’s directive to pay four out of eight months of withheld salary arrears to its members. Prof. Christopher Piwuna, the National Vice President of ASUU, made this statement during an interview at an event in Bauchi Zone. While President Tinubu’s Special Adviser had announced the partial waiver of the “No Work, No Pay” order, ASUU maintains that they have no knowledge of the approved payment.

1. *President Tinubu’s Directive:* On October 20, 2023, it was reported that President Bola Tinubu approved a partial waiver of the “No Work, No Pay” order imposed on ASUU members during their eight-month strike. The waiver allowed for the release of four months of withheld salary accruals.

2. *ASUU’s Unawareness:* The National Vice President of ASUU, Prof. Christopher Piwuna, clarified during an interview that the union is not aware of President Tinubu’s directive to pay four months of withheld salary arrears to its members.

3. *Statement from President’s Special Adviser:* President Tinubu’s Special Adviser, Ajuri Ngelale, had earlier stated in a release that the waiver aimed to mitigate difficulties during economic reforms and acknowledged faithful implementation of agreed-upon terms between ASUU and the Federal Government.

4. *ASUU’s Lack of Confirmation:* Prof. Piwuna asserted that ASUU, as a union, has not received any confirmation or information about the government awarding money to its members. He emphasized the union’s unawareness of the reported approval.

5. *No Confirmation of Payment:* The ASUU leadership’s statement raises questions about the communication between the government and the union regarding the reported payment of four months’ salary arrears.

6. *Call for Clarity:* The lack of awareness on the part of ASUU raises the need for clarification and effective communication between the government and the union regarding financial matters and agreements.

7. *Scholarship Presentation Event:* The statements from Prof. Piwuna were made on the sidelines of an event where scholarships were presented to university undergraduate students in Bauchi Zone.

8. *Potential Implications:* The situation may have implications for the ongoing negotiations and relationship between ASUU and the government, highlighting the importance of transparency in such matters.