In a power twist, the Federal Government commenced the payment of salary arrears to lecturers in the departments of Basic Medical Sciences, Basic Clinical Sciences and Medicine across some federal universities.
The lecturers are under the Nigerian Association of Medical and Dental Academics, one of the two splinter groups licensed by the government to reduce the influence of the Academic Staff Union of Universities.
The government had in 2022 implemented a no-work-no-pay rule against lecturers for seven months due to the strike embarked upon by the ASUU.
Efforts to get the government to pay the lecturers the withheld salaries for the duration of strike by ASUU proved abortive.
But the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria, a body which encompasses medical doctors in the academics and other consultant medical doctors, explained to the government that medical schools were not shut down during the period of strike hence the salaries of their members should not be withheld.
Speaking with our correspondent in Abuja, a source from the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, confirmed that medical lecturers have been paid their withheld salaries.
“This is currently causing confusion in the school. Medical lecturers have started receiving their salaries. Other lecturers have not but we have been told to stay calm.”
Another medical lecturer at the University of Maiduguri said, “It is true, medical lecturers who worked during the time of strike have started receiving theirs.”
Confirming the development, the chairperson of ASUU, FUTMinna told our correspondent that even though not all the medical lecturers have been paid, he could confirm the payment of medical lecturers at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University.
Details later…