Tinubu orders payment of university workers’ withheld salaries

President Bola Tinubu, on Thursday, stepped into the ongoing dispute between the Federal Government and university non-teaching staff over withheld salaries.

The president has instructed the Ministers of Finance, Wale Edun, and Education, Prof Tahir Mamman, to work out the modalities for the payment of four months’ salaries owed to the staff.

This directive comes on the heels of a tense confrontation between the police and protesting university non-teaching staff in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The staff, who have been denied their salaries for several months, had organized a peaceful protest to register their grievances.

However, the event turned sour when the police forcefully dispersed the protesters, leading to widespread condemnation.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has taken up the matter with the president and demanded justice for the affected staff.

NLC President, Joe Ajaero, disclosed the details of the meeting with the president to State House correspondents after a meeting in Abuja.

READ ALSO: Education Minister, Adamu Adamu, begs striking university workers for forgiveness

President Tinubu met with the leadership of the organised labour over the minimum wage on Thursday.

Ajaero said the president has taken a sympathetic stance on the issue.

The withheld salaries have been a long-standing bone of contention between the government and university non-teaching staff.

The staff, who are responsible for the day-to-day operations of the universities, have been struggling to make ends meet due to the non-payment of their salaries.

The situation has led to widespread discontent and frustration among the staff, with many threatening to embark on industrial action if their demands are not met.

President Tinubu’s intervention in the matter is seen as a positive development, as it indicates a willingness on the part of the government to listen to the grievances of the staff and address their concerns.

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