MDCAN begins 21-day warning strike over salary disparity.

The Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), Awka, has begun a 21-day warning strike in Anambra over non-implementation of Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS).

The Chairman of MDCAN-COOUTH, Amaechi Nwachukwu, made the disclosure at a news conference on Monday in Awka.

Association is demanding that the CONMESS recently granted to resident doctors be extended to its members.

It warned that failure to implement the adjustment within the stipulated period would lead to an indefinite industrial action by its members.

Mr Nwachukwu said the association had earlier engaged the hospital management over their demand and received the assurances that the issue would be resolved.

He, however, expressed disappointment that the promised adjustment was yet to be reflected in the soon-to-be-paid October salary.

According to him, it is customary for any salary increment or allowance approved for resident doctors to be automatically extended to their supervising consultants.

“The consultants are responsible for training resident doctors and conducting medical research,” he said.

ASUU Meets Today to Review Ongoing University Strike.

The national leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) will convene today, Tuesday, to assess its stance on the ongoing strike by university lecturers across the country.

Sources within the union confirmed that the meeting, scheduled to hold in Abuja, will focus on reviewing developments from recent engagements with the Federal Government and the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC). Discussions are expected to center on unresolved issues, including funding for public universities, lecturers’ welfare, and the implementation of past agreements.

The outcome of the meeting will determine whether the union extends or suspends the industrial action that has disrupted academic activities in federal and state universities nationwide.

ASUU had embarked on the strike several weeks ago over what it described as the government’s failure to honour previous commitments on university revitalisation, earned academic allowances, and the adoption of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) for salary payments.

Stakeholders have urged both parties to find a lasting resolution to prevent further damage to the already strained education sector. The union is expected to issue a formal statement after the meeting outlining its next steps.

NLC Threatens Nationwide Action if FG Fails to End ASUU Strike, Gives Deadline.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has threatened to join forces with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) if the Federal Government fails to conclude negotiations with unions in the tertiary education sector.

The decision was announced by the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, during an interactive session with labour correspondents in Abuja, following a meeting between the NLC and leaders of tertiary institutions’ unions held at the Congress headquarters.

His statement, “We have decided to give the Federal Government four weeks to conclude all negotiations in this sector. They have started talks with ASUU, but the problems extend beyond ASUU,” Ajaero stated.

“If after four weeks these negotiations are not concluded, the organs of the NEC will meet to decide on a nationwide action involving all workers and unions in the country, to ensure that lasting solutions are found.”

The NLC also criticised the Federal Government’s no-work-no-pay policy imposed on members of ASUU for embarking on strike, describing it as unjust and provocative.

“The so-called policy of no work, no pay will henceforth be no pay, no work. You cannot benefit from an action you instigated. We have discovered that most strike actions in this country — up to 90% — are caused by the government’s failure to honour agreements,” Ajaero added.

Nigeria’s tertiary education system has been plagued by instability, with the ongoing ASUU strike leading to the closure of universities nationwide.

ASUU National President, Professor Chris Piwuna, had announced the strike during a press briefing at the University of Abuja on Sunday, following the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued to the government on September 28. The union cited unresolved issues such as staff welfare, salary arrears, infrastructure decay, and the non-implementation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement.

The Nigerian government is set to begin verifying and processing long-overdue promotion and salary arrears for police personnel promoted between 2023 and 2024. An internal signal from Force Headquarters indicates that officials from the Budget Office and Finance Ministry will visit police formations nationwide to authenticate relevant documents (Advice-of-Change or AOCs).

This move comes amid growing frustration among officers over years of unpaid entitlements and stalled promotions. Leaked communications have revealed systemic delays and morale issues within the Nigeria Police Force. In a related development, the Oyo State Police Command has threatened disciplinary action against officers who publicly criticized the Force over promotion delays.

Osun NLC backs JUSUN strike, faults JSC on workers’ neglect.

The Osun State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has thrown its weight behind the ongoing industrial action by the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN, Osun State Chapter.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the NLC urged the Osun State Judicial Service Commission, JSC, to prioritise the welfare of judiciary workers in accordance with existing policies and commitments.

The statement which was signed by the NLC Chairperson, Christopher Abimbola Arapasopo, described JUSUN’s grievances as legitimate and long overdue, citing consistent neglect and administrative insensitivity as reasons for the strike.

According to Arapasopo, the demands of JUSUN include the implementation of pending promotions and entitlements for 2024 and 2025, the restoration of imprest and statutory allowances, sponsorship of staff training at the National Judicial Institute, NJI, and the provision of official and utility vehicles to boost productivity.

“It is regrettable that judiciary workers continue to face neglect despite their critical role in the administration of justice. Their welfare must not be treated with indifference or delay,” the statement said.

The Congress expressed concern over what it termed the indifference of the Honourable Chief Judge and Chairman of the JSC, Justice Oyebola Adepele Ojo, calling for immediate intervention from relevant authorities to prevent further deterioration of the situation.

“It is disheartening that workers in ministries and other agencies on the same grade levels as judiciary staff have received their 2024 and even 2025 promotion letters, with corresponding salary adjustments, while judiciary workers continue to lag behind. This is grossly unfair and unacceptable,” the statement read.

The NLC also cautioned against a growing culture of impunity and abuse of office within the judicial arm, warning that such actions undermine staff morale and institutional credibility.

Nigerian Federal Workers Demand Payment Of Wage Arrears, Salary Harmonisation.

The forum noted that the ₦35,000 wage award was introduced as a cost of living allowance after the removal of fuel subsidy and the devaluation of the naira.

The Federal Workers Forum (FWF) has called on the President Bola Tinubu-led government to immediately pay the outstanding three months wage award owed to federal workers, harmonise salaries across the public service, and improve welfare conditions.

In a strongly worded statement issued on Wednesday and signed by Comrade Andrew Emelieze, the National Coordinator, the workers group said the government’s failure to fulfill its wage obligations had caused severe hardship among its workforce.

“The refusal of the federal government to pay up the balance of the outstanding three months wage award as promised by the Accountant General of the Federation has shown clearly how our government has been treating her workers. Same also has been the case for so many backlog of arrears owed the federal workers especially promotion arrears, in some cases over ten years backlog owed the federal workers in Nigeria,” the statement read.

The forum noted that the ₦35,000 wage award was introduced as a cost of living allowance after the removal of fuel subsidy and the devaluation of the naira. However, the group accused the government of inconsistent and delayed payments.

“Our government eventually decided to give a paltry sum of ₦35,000 to all federal workers irrespective of their grade levels."

"The payment since it's implementation has been inconsistent and staggering, most times it has taken the Federal Workers Forum to cry out before payments are made. As a matter of facts , the federal government has been very unfaithful in the payment of the wage award, thus the purpose of setting up the wage award to cushion the horrible effects of fuel subsidy removal has been defeated.”

According to the forum, the payment of wage awards stopped in February 2024 following the implementation of the new national minimum wage in August 2024. At that time, the government owed workers five months of wage awards covering March to July 2024.

Tinubu Government Orders Physical Headcount Of Lecturers In Striking Nigerian Universities.

In a circular dated October 13, 2025, signed by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, and addressed to vice-chancellors, pro-chancellors, and other key education stakeholders, the government reaffirmed its position on the “no work, no pay” policy.

As the nationwide strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) commenced yesterday, the President Bola Tinubu-led government has moved to enforce compliance with its directive by mandating an immediate roll call and physical headcount of all academic staff across federal universities.

In a circular dated October 13, 2025, signed by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, and addressed to vice-chancellors, pro-chancellors, and other key education stakeholders, the government reaffirmed its position on the “no work, no pay” policy.

The circular was also distributed to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the Accountant-General of the Federation, and the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC).

According to the circular, vice-chancellors have been directed to conduct physical verification by taking roll call and head count of lecturers on campus to determine who is actively performing their duties and who is absent due to the industrial action.

“In line with existing labour regulations, any employee who fails to discharge official duties during a strike period will not be entitled to remuneration for that period,” the circular stated.

Dr. Alausa expressed the government’s disappointment over ASUU’s decision to proceed with the strike “despite ongoing engagement efforts,” adding that the administration “would no longer condone disruptions to the academic calendar.”

University administrators are now expected to compile detailed reports distinguishing between staff who are present and working, and those who have joined the strike. These records will be used to determine salary entitlements in line with the “no work, no pay” enforcement.

“I Saw It Coming” — Sunday Oliseh Speaks on the Current Struggles of the Super Eagles; Why He Resigned As the Team’s Coach, Reveals NFF Still Owes Him over N30 million in salary.

Former Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh, has revealed why he resigned from his position as Nigeria’s national team manager, stating that he foresaw the challenges that later unfolded within the team’s administration.

Speaking about his time in charge of the national team, Oliseh said he decided to step down after realizing that the system was not aligned with his vision and that efforts to bring about positive change were being resisted.

“I was coaching, and at one point, I saw what is happening now coming back then. I told my friends, including Rash, that it was coming. When I saw they didn’t want to follow the right path, I said, ‘Okay, I’m resigning,’” Oliseh said.

The former captain of the Super Eagles noted that he remains the only Nigerian coach to have voluntarily resigned from the position, adding that he is still being owed two months’ salary ,amounting to $26,000 by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

Oliseh also disclosed that he has been urged by many to take legal action against the NFF, but he has refused out of patriotism, insisting that he would never take his country to an international court.

“People have invited me to take Nigeria to court, but I refused. I will not take my fatherland to a western court. Even if I win, the headlines will not say ‘Oliseh takes NFF to court,’ they will say ‘Oliseh takes Nigeria to court,’” he explained.

Oliseh served as the Super Eagles head coach between 2015 and 2016 before resigning, citing unpaid wages and poor working conditions.

Senate, Reps Resumption: Crisis Looms As Corruption Allegation Rocks National Assembly Management.

The National Assembly chapter of PASAN, had in a circular dated 3 October, 2025, accused the Clerk of laundering money belonging to the Association.

The circular was signed by the trio of Comrade Chris MC-Odo, Comrade Yusuf Mohammed Abiola and Comrade Chinenye Peace Ndu and addressed to the Clerk, with copies to the Director, Department of State Security (DSS), and the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), both in the National Assembly.

It alleged that the Clerk, working together with the ousted executive, had laundered funds belonging to PASAN through the Chapter`s NASS bank accounts and was bent on covering his tracks by “protecting the Ousted Exco in order not to go down with the Sunday Sabiyi led exco who boasted that If I go down, you all go down…”

It further expressed sadness at Mr Ogunlana`s actions, stating that it amounted to “interference, meddlesome and infringement on our fundamental rights and are totally unacceptable to us as workers under a Trade Union.”

Other infractions it accused the Clerk of include, refusal to correct alleged fraudulent short payments of members salaries and allowances, refusal to remit statutory deductions from taxes, contributory pensions and National Housing Fund (NHF).

PASAN also stated that the Ogunlana led National Assembly management diverted funds for members training and retraining, refused the full implementation of consolidated legislative salary structure (CONLESS), payment of outstanding 50 % CONLESS, among several other infractions.

According to the workers body, the Clerk has since deployed “intimidation, harassment and victimization” tactics to silence members of staff ahead of Tuesday`s planned picketing of the National Assembly to draw the attention of the Senator Godswill Akpabio led tenth Assembly to the matter.

ASUU to FG: Meet Our Demands in 14 Days or Face Fresh Strike.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a fourteen-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to resolve a series of long-standing demands affecting the nation’s public universities or risk fresh industrial action.

The decision followed the union’s National Executive Council meeting held on September 28, 2025, at the University of Abuja, where it accused the government of persistent neglect and failure to honour previous agreements. In a communiqué signed by ASUU President, Professor Chris Piwuna, the union warned that it would embark on a two-week warning strike if no tangible steps were taken within the given timeframe, with the possibility of escalating to an indefinite strike.

ASUU listed its unresolved demands to include the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU agreement, adequate revitalisation funding for public universities, payment of outstanding salary arrears, and the establishment of sustainable financing mechanisms for the education sector. According to the union, these issues have been pending for too long despite repeated promises and committees set up by government officials.

The Federal Government had earlier inaugurated a committee led by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Abel Enitan, to review ASUU’s proposals, but the union lamented that no concrete outcome has been communicated. It stressed that unless urgent action is taken, the nation’s university system may once again be thrown into crisis, disrupting the academic calendar and affecting millions of students across the country.

With the countdown to the ultimatum already underway, the ball is now in the government’s court to avert another nationwide shutdown of academic activities.

Abuja-Kaduna train staff get training, 95% salary boost.

The Nigerian Railway Corporation has announced a four-day mandatory refresher training for all Abuja–Kaduna Train Service staff and confirmed a 95 per cent salary increase to be implemented before the end of 2025.

These measures were disclosed by the NRC Managing Director, Dr Kayode Opeifa, in a statement on Sunday. The announcement followed a meeting with AKTS staff at Idu Station on September 19, 2025, where he presented findings from the in-house investigation into the August 26 derailment, reviewed recovery efforts, and outlined strategies for the safe resumption of services.

Opeifa stressed that safety remains the corporation’s highest priority and that the refresher programme, commencing on Monday, September 22, would help staff sharpen their operational knowledge and reinforce compliance with standard procedures.

“The investigation re-emphasised the importance of strict adherence to operational directives, particularly caution orders,” he said. “The refresher training will ensure our staff are fully prepared to prevent safety lapses as we resume operations.”

Nigerian football legend, Austin “Jay-Jay” Okocha, has shared insights into how he managed his finances during his playing career, stressing the importance of discipline and structure.

Speaking on a podcast, Okocha explained that his contract earnings were strictly reserved for investments. According to him, his salary from clubs was never for luxury spending.

“My contract money is for investment. So, the contract? It’s investment fully,” he said.

The former Super Eagles captain revealed that he relied on match bonuses for daily living expenses and endorsements for leisure. “Match bonuses are enough for you to live. You have endorsements, it’s enough for you to buy toys—those nice cars, nice watches, travel with your wife,” Okocha noted.

He added that the key was maintaining balance and knowing when to cut back. “It’s all about putting a structure in place. And if you’re not winning enough matches, then you backpedal a bit. It’s not every month that you go shopping,” he advised.

Fresh graduate ditches ₦650k salary for 2hrs daily job after asking for a raise; begs to return but boss declines.

Nigerian Embassies Struggle With Unpaid Rent, Salary Arrears – FG

The Federal Government has admitted that several Nigerian diplomatic and consular missions abroad are grappling with financial and operational difficulties, including unpaid staff salaries, rent arrears, and mounting debts to service providers.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, noting that the challenges have hindered the smooth running of missions in different countries.

He explained that budgetary shortfalls over the years were responsible for the situation, which has significantly affected the embassies’ ability to deliver on their core diplomatic and consular duties.

“The ministry is not unaware of the restrictions that financial limitations have placed on the smooth running of the missions, including the inability to pay salaries of locally recruited staff, financial obligations to service providers, rent to landlords, and the foreign service allowance to home-based officers,” Ebienfa stated.

The ministry, however, assured that President Bola Tinubu’s administration had approved intervention funds and set up a committee to verify and settle outstanding debts. It added that over 80% of available funds had been cleared for payments, prioritising service providers, staff salaries, and arrears owed to officers.

Ebienfa further disclosed that efforts were ongoing to establish a sustainable financial model for embassies abroad, alongside wider reforms aimed at strengthening fiscal governance.

Source: Channels TV

#Nigeria #Diplomacy #ForeignAffairs

Resident Doctors Hand FG 10-Day Ultimatum, Threaten Nationwide Strike.

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has warned the Federal Government of an impending nationwide strike if its demands are not met within the next 10 days.

In a communiqué issued after an Extraordinary National Executive Council (E-NEC) meeting held virtually on Sunday, the doctors accused the government of consistently failing to implement previous agreements.

The statement, signed by NARD President, Tope Osundara; General Secretary, Oluwasola Odunbaku; and Publicity and Social Secretary, Omoha Amobi, fixed Wednesday, September 10, 2025, as the deadline for the ultimatum.

The association recalled that it had earlier given a three-week ultimatum in July but later extended it by another three weeks to allow for dialogue.

However, after reviewing the situation at the weekend, the council said little to no progress had been made.

NARD noted that many of its members are yet to receive their 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), while five months’ arrears from the 25–35 per cent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) adjustment remain unpaid.
The group also lamented the non-payment of the 2024 Accoutrement Allowance.

President Tinubu approves lifetime salary benefits for senior officers from the rank of Deputy Controller and above, including Comptroller and Commandant-General.

Pres. Tinubu Approves Lifetime Salary Benefits for Retiring Senior Officers — Interior Minister, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has announced a new policy granting lifetime salary benefits to senior officers retiring from the rank of Deputy Controller, Comptroller, or Commandant-General and above.

The policy, approved by President Bola Tinubu, was unveiled on Thursday during the 2025 Ministerial Retreat, where Tunji-Ojo outlined his ministry’s achievements and reaffirmed its commitment to institutional reforms.

“In recognition of the welfare of senior officers, the minister announced that any officer retiring from the rank of Deputy Controller/Comptroller/Commandant-General will now receive lifetime salary benefits, a policy graciously approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” a statement signed by DCF PO Abraham, NPRO/Head of Corporate Services, Federal Fire Service, said.

The statement further conveyed the minister’s gratitude, “The minister expressed profound appreciation to President Tinubu for his unwavering support, affirming that all agencies under the Ministry of Interior are reaping the benefits of the Renewed Hope Agenda.”

Tunji-Ojo disclosed that the ministry had cleared a long-standing backlog of promotions, with over 50,000 officers elevated in the last two years. Going forward, promotions will be tied to capacity and performance. He also revealed that new training manuals have been developed and that construction of a world-class Fire Academy—designed to rival institutions such as the Arizona Fire Academy—is underway.

The minister stressed the importance of workplace m+ntal health, pledging the ministry’s full support for officers in this regard. He further urged the Federal Fire Service to pursue private sector partnerships to strengthen service delivery, improve infrastructure, and modernise firefighting operations nationwide.

He added that the framework will be participatory, involving government, private sector, labour, civil society, and traditional institutions.

On food security, Shettima announced that NASENI has scaled up local production of solar-powered irrigation pumps, saying: “This is the story of a nation’s refusal to be hostage to petrol-powered systems.” The Council also directed the release of funds for the next polio immunisation campaign, following a 46% drop in cases in 2025, though Sokoto remains a hotspot.

Gombe Governor Inuwa Yahaya confirmed gains in Kano and Katsina. Budget Minister Atiku Bagudu explained the plan is the second of six five-year frameworks under Nigeria Agenda 2050, targeting job creation, infrastructure, human capital, food security, and social protection. Governors, including Charles Soludo, welcomed the early start and urged inclusive state-level participation. NEC also resolved to integrate technology into routine immunisation and called for urgent release of campaign funds.

Nigerian Customs Under Fire for Revenue Fraud

The Empowerment for Unemployed Youth Initiative (EUYI) has accused Nigerian Customs Service and its operatives of colluding with clearing agents to under-declare import duties, calling it a “systemic fraud” despite reported revenue growth from N3.2T in 2023 to N6.1T in 2024.

EUYI says the so-called “Short Pay” system allows importers to pay less than official duties, with the balance shared among evaluators, allegedly with management’s complicity. The group also criticized inflated budgets, unexplained salary figures, and questionable recruitment provisions.

They called on Nigerians to demand investigation and accountability from Customs, including the illegal tenure extension of the Comptroller General.

#Nigeria #Customs #RevenueFraud #EUYI #Accountability

ASUU Threatens “Mother of All Strikes” Over Unmet Demands.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has warned that it may launch what it calls the “mother of all strikes” if the Federal Government fails to implement agreements reached as far back as 2009.

Speaking at a press briefing in Calabar on Tuesday, the University of Calabar (Unical) chapter chairman, Dr. Peter Ubi, accused the government of neglecting commitments aimed at improving university standards.

“The government made promises on these issues, and regrettably, we are here today to inform the Nigerian public that these undisputed issues have not been resolved for several years now,” Ubi said. “ASUU has tried several ways of resolving the conflict, but the government has constantly pushed our union to embark on a strike.”

Key demands include the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement, proper funding and revitalisation of universities, payment of outstanding 25–35% wage awards, three months’ salary arrears, over four years of promotion arrears, and remittance of third-party deductions.

Ubi said the strike would begin once the national body gives the directive after its meeting on August 28. The union also urged government to maintain its freeze on establishing new universities, including private ones, warning that unchecked expansion undermines quality.

“We have 72 federal universities and 159 private ones, giving each state an average of nine. We appeal that the moratorium be extended to private institutions,” Ubi added.

Last week, the Federal Executive Council suspended the creation of new federal universities, citing overstretched resources and declining quality. However, it also approved nine new institutions following a presentation by Education Minister, Dr. Tunji Alausa.

Imo State Governor, Sen. Uzodimma, Approves N104,000 New Minimum Wage Structure for Imo Workers, Increases Doctors’ Pay to N533,000.

Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, has approved a new minimum wage of N104,000 for civil servants in the state. According to TVC News, the governor made the announcement during a meeting with the state’s labour force at the Government House, Owerri.

He also disclosed that medical doctors in the state civil service will now earn N533,000 as their monthly salary. According to Uzodimma, the upward wage review was made possible by increased internally generated revenue and higher federal allocations.

He noted that the revised salary structure is designed to stimulate the state’s economy while enhancing the morale and productivity of workers. In addition, the governor revealed that his administration has set aside N16 billion to clear outstanding gratuity arrears owed to pensioners in the state.