THE PRESIDENT of the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), Mr Ibeji Nwokoma, says the union may embark on strike over the unresolved renegotiation of its wage agreement with the Federal Government.
Nwokoma stated this in a statement issued on Tuesday at the end of NAAT’s 62nd National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja.
He expressed concern over the prolonged delay in concluding the renegotiation of the FGN/NAAT 2009 Agreement, which had been under review since 2017.
According to him, several government committees constituted over the years have failed to conclude an agreement that adequately addresses the welfare of academic technologists.
“Successive government committees have failed to deliver a workable agreement that reflects the welfare needs of academic technologists in Nigerian universities.
“We can no longer continue to wait endlessly while the agreement, which has been under review since 2017, remains inconclusive.
“The continued delay in finalising the wage agreement is unacceptable and unsustainable for our members in the university system.
“Failure to act promptly could leave the association with no option but to consider industrial action,” he said.
Nwokoma said the NEC rejected what it described as a “paltry offer” presented by the negotiation committee on March 31, 2026, at the National Universities Commission (NUC).
He added that the offer did not reflect current economic realities such as rising fuel, gas and electricity costs.
He also criticised the recent approval of a 30 per cent allowance increase for non-teaching staff, saying it was done without concluding negotiations with NAAT.
According to him, the action undermines collective bargaining principles and risks creating disparities among university-based unions.
Nwokoma warned that the union would resist any attempt to impose unfair wage structures, adding that such actions could disrupt industrial harmony in the university system.
He urged the federal government to urgently reconvene negotiations and conclude the outstanding agreement in good faith.
The NAAT president also called on stakeholders, including labour unions, students, civil society organisations and religious leaders, to intervene to avert a looming crisis in the university system. (NAN)
