05/11/2022
University lecturers, October half-salary, 2021/2022 academic session, and my simple solution...
The news, on Thursday, of University lecturers' half salary because the 8 months long strike was suspended on the 14th of October generated a lot of reactions. There were condemnations and anger over FG's action on the October salary and the withheld salaries. I didn't want to comment because I didn't see it as an issue. It's just an action that will naturally attract an opposite reaction. To me, there is no need for any condemnation or anger. The government agents are "grown" old men that know what they are doing. When men elected by the people began to play God, you just smile and give them a long rope. They are possibly still unconscious of the fact that in the next 6 months they will most likely become "yesterday men".
2 parallel activities took place prior to the suspension of the strike. On one hand, there was a court order for the lecturers to resume lectures, followed by the obey-before-complain judgment from the appeal court. While on the other hand, there was the intervention of the members of the House of Representatives led by the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila. The intervention raised so much hope that concerned Nigerians felt that the it may lead to an out-of-court settlement. These events paved way for the suspension of the strike. Then, there were announcements of approved calendars by various universities' senates for the continuation of the 2021/2022 academic session. The senate members are academic staff.
The Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, made public statements on his discussions with the president with optimism. Did the Speaker misinform Nigerians or did the president decided not to respect his discussion with the Speaker of the House of Representatives? However, the action of the FG shows that President Buhari and Dr. Chris Ngige, the Labour Minister, have ruled out any out-of-court settlement option. The half-salary payment needs no anger reaction, it