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The National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) has rejected the federal government’s newly introduced Tertiary Institutions Staff Support Fund (TISSF), calling it a misplaced priority that could lead to long-term debt for tertiary institution workers.
Naija News reports that the TISSF, launched by the Federal Ministry of Education and TETFund, was announced as a financial support programme designed to assist staff in Nigerian universities and other tertiary institutions.
However, NAAT views the scheme as ineffective in addressing the core challenges faced by academic technologists.
In a statement signed by the union’s National President, Comrade Ibeji Nwokoma, the union made it clear that the TISSF amounted to little more than a loan scheme that would worsen financial burdens on members.
“After carefully perusing the document on TISSF loan, NAAT views it as a distraction, and therefore rejects it. We wish to categorically state that our members do not need a loan that will perpetually enslave them. It amounts to taking salaries in advance,” the statement read.
NAAT further emphasised that its members already have access to cooperative societies that can meet their short-term financial needs, making the TISSF unnecessary.
NAAT Demands Payment of Outstanding Arrears
Rather than loans, NAAT is demanding the immediate payment of several outstanding arrears owed to its members. These include:
- Three and a half months of withheld salaries
- Seven months’ arrears of Occupational Hazard Allowance (OHA)
- Eleven months’ arrears of Responsibility Allowance (RA)
- A 12-month backlog from the 25% and 35% salary increase
- Four months of unpaid wage awards
Unpaid arrears from the 2019 ₦30,000 minimum wage for omitted members
The union also called for the release of supplementary funds to settle earned allowances and third-party deductions from previously withheld salaries.
In addition to rejecting the TISSF, NAAT has expressed anger over the alleged revocation of 7,000 hectares of land belonging to Yakubu Gowon University (formerly University of Abuja), a decision made by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
NAAT described the land revocation as a violation of the laws governing the institution, stressing that such a decision requires approval from the National Assembly.
“This land is not just an asset that can be disposed of at will. It is a national treasure meant to support the university’s future, from research centres and new academic programmes to increasing student accommodation,” the union stated.
The association warned that reducing the university’s land to just 4,000 hectares would distort its masterplan, cripple future expansion projects, and ultimately hinder the institution’s contribution to national development.
NAAT has called on the federal government to redirect the TISSF funds to address outstanding staff claims instead. Furthermore, the union urged the National Assembly’s committees on tertiary education and TETFund to intervene and reverse the land revocation decision.
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