Learning Outcomes

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

• Understand the role and functions of the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) in Nigerian higher institutions.
• Identify the objectives of NASU and how it advocates for the welfare of non-academic staff.
• Analyze the impact of NASU strikes and negotiations on the operations of Nigerian institutions.

Overview

The Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) is a major trade union that represents non-teaching staff in Nigeria’s universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and research institutes. Unlike academic unions, such as ASUU and ASUP, which focus on academic staff, NASU advocates for the welfare and rights of workers who provide administrative, technical, and support services that are essential to the smooth functioning of higher institutions. This lesson explores NASU’s objectives, the critical role of non-academic staff in higher institutions, and the challenges the union faces in its advocacy for improved working conditions.

History and Role of NASU

• Founded in 1978, NASU has grown into a strong union that advocates for the interests of a diverse range of non-academic staff in Nigerian higher institutions. These workers include administrative officers, technicians, clerks, security personnel, cleaners, library staff, and other essential service providers who ensure that the institutions run smoothly.
• NASU has been instrumental in negotiating for better working conditions, salary adjustments, and recognition for non-academic staff, who are often overlooked compared to their academic counterparts.

Key Objectives of NASU

NASU’s primary objective is to protect the welfare and rights of non-academic staff in higher institutions. The union’s core goals include:

1. Advocating for Improved Working Conditions:
   • NASU fights for better salaries, allowances, and general working conditions for non-academic staff, ensuring that these essential workers receive fair compensation and benefits.
2. Securing Job Security:
   • The union works to protect its members from unfair job losses, layoffs, or arbitrary dismissals. NASU advocates for stable and secure employment for non-academic staff, ensuring that job security is a priority in negotiations with the government and institution administrators.
3. Promoting Career Development:
   • NASU seeks opportunities for professional development, promotions, and career growth for non-academic staff. It pushes for training programs, workshops, and other initiatives that allow staff to enhance their skills and improve their career prospects.
4. Ensuring Equitable Treatment in the Workplace:
   • NASU advocates for equal treatment and fairness in how non-academic staff are treated, particularly in relation to salary structure, pension schemes, and welfare packages. The union seeks to bridge the gap between the treatment of academic and non-academic workers.
5. Advocating for Pension and Retirement Benefits:
   • The union ensures that non-academic staff have access to proper pension plans and retirement benefits, ensuring financial security after retirement.

NASU’s Contributions to Higher Institutions

Non-academic staff members are integral to the smooth operation of higher institutions. Without their contributions, many administrative, technical, and support functions would be compromised, including:

• Administration: Administrative staff manage the day-to-day running of departments, faculties, and the entire institution. They handle tasks like student registration, records management, and office operations.
• Maintenance of Facilities: NASU members such as cleaners, security staff, and technical personnel ensure that the campus environment is safe, clean, and conducive to learning.
• Library and Research Support: Non-academic staff work in libraries, laboratories, and other research centers, supporting academic staff and students in their research activities.
• Technical Services: Technicians and IT staff help maintain equipment, support practical learning sessions, and ensure that technical facilities are in good working condition.

NASU Strikes and Their Impact

Like other unions, NASU has used strikes as a means of addressing unresolved issues with the government or institution administrators. These strikes are often caused by unmet demands related to salary arrears, poor working conditions, and lack of proper welfare.

1. Causes of NASU Strikes:
   • Inadequate Salaries: One of the major causes of NASU strikes is the demand for salary adjustments and payment of outstanding salary arrears. Non-academic staff often face issues such as delayed payments, insufficient compensation, and lack of benefits.
   • Poor Working Conditions: NASU strikes are also triggered by poor working conditions, such as inadequate tools, poor office environments, and lack of staff welfare.
   • Failure to Implement Agreements: When agreements between NASU and the government or institution management are not honored, strikes often ensue. The failure to fulfill promises regarding salary adjustments, job security, and other welfare issues is a recurring cause of industrial actions.
2. Impact on Institutions:
   • Disruption of Administrative Services: When NASU members go on strike, administrative functions like student registration, exam processing, and records management are disrupted. This affects students and academic staff alike.
   • Closure of Key Facilities: Strikes may lead to the closure of key facilities such as libraries, laboratories, and hostels, hampering academic activities and research.
   • Security and Maintenance Issues: Without security and maintenance staff, campus environments can become unsafe and unsanitary, affecting the wellbeing of students and staff.
3. Impact on Students:
   • Delays in Academic Activities: NASU strikes can lead to delays in academic activities, particularly when administrative services are affected. Students may be unable to complete registrations or access essential services.
   • Impact on Campus Life: Strikes by NASU members such as cleaners and security staff can affect the overall campus experience, making it difficult for students to navigate their daily activities in a safe and clean environment.

Achievements of NASU

Over the years, NASU has recorded several achievements in its efforts to improve the welfare of non-academic staff in higher institutions:

1. Salary and Welfare Improvements: NASU’s consistent advocacy has led to periodic salary adjustments, improved welfare packages, and the payment of arrears to its members.
2. Job Security: NASU has negotiated agreements that protect non-academic staff from arbitrary dismissals, ensuring that job security remains a priority.
3. Pension and Retirement Benefits: Through NASU’s efforts, non-academic staff members in many institutions have access to pension schemes and retirement benefits, ensuring their financial security after leaving active service.

Challenges Facing NASU

Despite its efforts, NASU continues to face several challenges, including:

• Inconsistent Government Policies: The failure of the government to fully implement agreements often leads to recurring strikes and industrial actions, causing frustration among staff and students.
• Public Perception of Strikes: Frequent strikes by NASU have led to negative perceptions among students and the general public, with many viewing the strikes as a disruption to academic life.
• Funding Shortfalls: Insufficient funding of higher institutions affects both academic and non-academic staff, leading to delays in payments, poor working conditions, and inadequate facilities.

Conclusion

NASU plays a crucial role in ensuring that non-academic staff are treated fairly and that their welfare is protected in Nigerian higher institutions. While NASU strikes can disrupt the operations of these institutions, they are often necessary to push for improvements in salaries, working conditions, and other welfare issues. Understanding NASU’s role highlights the importance of non-academic staff in maintaining the day-to-day functioning of higher institutions.