In a significant development, President Bola Tinubu has granted a partial waiver of the “No Work, No Pay” Order imposed on striking members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
This decision follows the conclusion of the eight-month strike initiated by ASUU, which began on February 14, 2022, and was officially terminated on October 17, 2022.
The Presidential Announcement
This pivotal decision was officially communicated through a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, on a Friday.
The statement, titled ‘President Tinubu approves partial waiver of the no work, no pay order on ASUU members; orders release of four months of withheld salary,’ outlined the particulars of this presidential action.
Partial Waiver and Salary Release
The partial waiver authorized by President Tinubu entails the release of four months’ worth of salary accruals to the previously striking ASUU members. This partial release serves to alleviate some of the financial burdens that resulted from the eight-month industrial action embarked upon by the union.
Strict Stipulations for the Waiver
Despite the waiver, President Tinubu has imposed stringent conditions. It is mandated that the Federal Ministry of Education and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment work together to establish a Document of Understanding (DoU).
This DoU will outline the terms and conditions under which this exceptional waiver has been granted. Furthermore, it explicitly states that this waiver will be the final one accorded to ASUU and all other Education Sector Unions.
Principle of Presidential Prerogative of Mercy
President Tinubu invoked the Principle of the Presidential Prerogative of Mercy as a basis for this decision. This action underscores his commitment to mitigating the challenges experienced during the implementation of crucial economic reforms in the country.
It also acknowledges the faithful adherence to the agreed terms during the deliberations between ASUU and the Federal Government of Nigeria.