Workers in Nigeria’s Research Institutes have expressed deep concern over the unpaid 12 months’ arrears of the negotiated salary structure from the Year 2010 agreement between the Federal Government and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU).
They also lamented the lack of implementation regarding the 65 years retirement age for Non-Researchers in these institutes.
Speaking in Abuja, NASU’s President, Dr. Makolo Hassan, emphasized the importance of adequate support and funding for Research Institutes to drive technological development in the country. He stated, “Over a period of time, it has been the position of Government that technological development must be the way forward for the country. However, to achieve technological development, the Research Institutes must be adequately supported and funded so that the outcome of their research work will assist in the attainment of Government objectives.”
Hassan pointed out that the collapse of infrastructure within the Research Institutes needs urgent attention. He stated, “Funding of Research Institutes, the enhancement of the welfare and well-being of the workers in the sector, and addressing the decayed infrastructure in virtually all the Research Institutes must take priority.”
He lamented that a significant part of the agreement made with NASU remains unfulfilled, highlighting that the 12 months’ arrears and the retirement age issue are still pending. “We therefore use this forum to call on the Federal Government to do the needful so that every part of the Agreement that is yet to be implemented is addressed for industrial peace and stability to reign,” Hassan added.
Additionally, he urged the government to constitute a Negotiation Team to renegotiate the 2010 FGN/JORAISU Agreement and to establish the Boards of the Research Institutes to enhance their productivity.