FUTA workers protest over unpaid allowances, block Vice Chancellor’s office

Some workers at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Ondo State, staged a protest on Thursday over the alleged non payment of their allowances.

The workers, who are members of the National Association of Non Teaching Staff of Nigerian Universities (NANTS), FUTA branch, accused the university management of paying the allowances to members of other staff unions while leaving them out.

During the protest, the workers marched to the Vice Chancellor’s office, singing solidarity songs and demanding immediate payment. They warned that they would continue their action until the issue was resolved.

The union’s chairman, Adebayo Aladerotohun, said the unpaid benefits include the Consolidated Tools Tertiary Institutions Allowance (CONTA) and End Allowances, which were approved by the Federal Government.

According to him, members of the association discovered that other staff had received the payments, while they were excluded.

Aladerotohun accused the university management of wrongly implementing the government’s directive and favouring another union.

He argued that their letters of appointment clearly state that they are entitled to all government approved allowances, regardless of union membership.

The union gave the university management a seven day ultimatum to pay the allowances or face legal action.

Responding to the protesters, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Taiwo Amos, appealed for calm and assured them that no worker would be denied his or her rightful benefits.

He said the management was already discussing the matter and would meet with the union’s executives again to find a solution.

The Vice Chancellor urged the workers to allow dialogue, saying peaceful discussions would help resolve the dispute faster than confrontation.

He also stressed that the university had no intention of denying any staff member their entitlement and promised that the issue would be settled fairly.