From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye and Francis Onyedikachukwu, Abuja
The Congress of University Academics (CONUA) has demanded the immediate payment of outstanding salaries and other entitlements owed to university lecturers, warning that its commitment to dialogue should not be mistaken for a lack of resolve to pursue lawful trade union action.
The union accused relevant authorities of delaying the conclusion of its proposed agreement with the Federal Government, insisting that official recognition must translate into meaningful collective bargaining and a binding agreement.
Among the outstanding payments it wants settled are three and a half months of withheld salaries, promotion arrears, irregular payments of recently approved entitlements and arrears arising from the 25 per cent and 35 per cent wage awards.
CONUA made the demands at a meeting of its National Executive Council (NEC) held at the University of Abuja on 24 October 2026, where it reviewed the proposed agreement with the Federal Government and other issues affecting lecturers’ welfare and the administration of universities.
In a statement issued after the meeting, the union urged the Federal Ministries of Education and Labour and Employment, alongside other relevant negotiating authorities, to conclude negotiations without further delay.
It expressed dissatisfaction with the handling of the proposed Federal Government of Nigeria-CONUA Agreement, whose latest draft is dated September 2026, arguing that prolonged negotiations and unresolved welfare issues continued to leave academics in financial uncertainty.
“The welfare and legitimate entitlements of academics are obligations to be honoured, not favours to be granted,” the union declared.
CONUA also called on government authorities and university managements to pay all verified outstanding entitlements promptly, maintain transparent payment records and provide clear information to affected staff.
It warned that continued delays and inconsistent implementation of approved benefits were unacceptable, stressing that lecturers should not be subjected to prolonged uncertainty over their earnings.
While reaffirming its commitment to dialogue, the union made clear that it retained the option of pursuing lawful industrial action if the circumstances warranted it.
“Our commitment to dialogue must not be mistaken for a lack of resolve,” it stated.
Beyond the salary dispute, CONUA demanded fair representation for its members in university education programmes and consultative structures, particularly initiatives associated with the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and the Needs Assessment intervention programme.
It argued that excluding relevant academic stakeholders from such initiatives undermined fairness, participation and accountability in the university system.
The union also called for increased public investment in university education, improved infrastructure and accelerated digital transformation, identifying reliable electricity, internet connectivity, functional laboratories and modern teaching and research equipment as essential to quality education.
CONUA further raised concerns over reported cases of temporary hiring or renting of academic staff and equipment for accreditation exercises, warning that such practices could conceal deficiencies in institutions’ actual capacity.
It urged university managements and regulatory authorities to ensure that accreditation exercises reflected the genuine state of facilities, staffing and institutional readiness, rather than arrangements made solely to satisfy assessment requirements.
On the political front, the union called for peaceful, free and credible elections, urging political parties and candidates to focus their campaigns on security, electricity, education, employment and economic development.
It also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure an impartial electoral process that reflects the will of voters.
Addressing the country’s security challenges, CONUA called on governments and security agencies to strengthen intelligence gathering, improve coordination and respond more effectively to terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and communal violence.
The union reiterated its commitment to defending the interests of university academics through collective bargaining and lawful means, urging the Federal Government and university authorities to resolve outstanding welfare issues and strengthen the country’s university system.
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