UNILAG Health Workers Protest Exclusion from Eight Months’ Allowance Arrears

Health workers at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) Medical Centre on Wednesday protested their exclusion from the recent payment of eight months’ arrears of the Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance (CONTTA).

The workers, under the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), marched from the university’s medical centre to the Senate building, where Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, addressed them.

The protest was led by SSANU UNILAG chapter chairman, Dr Ademola Yusuf, and the union’s ex-officio, Yinusa Abiodun.

Speaking during the protest, Abiodun described the exclusion of university health workers from the payment as troubling, noting that the affected professionals included doctors, nurses, pharmacists, dentists, radiographers and public health personnel.

He argued that the workers deserved the same consideration as their counterparts in other federal universities, where health personnel were reportedly included in the payment.

Abiodun said the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, had clarified that the funds released for the payment were tied to the number of workers on the payroll. He questioned why UNILAG health workers were left out despite their colleagues in other institutions reportedly benefiting.

He described the protest as a response to what he called a prolonged injustice despite previous attempts at dialogue and negotiation.

The union representative also argued that excluding the health workers undermined their morale and worsened their financial difficulties amid rising living costs. He called on the university management to explain the exclusion and ensure that all eligible personnel were included in the payment.

Responding to the protesters at the Senate building, Ogunsola cautioned against comparing payment arrangements across universities, explaining that the circumstances and financial structures of institutions differed.

She assured the workers that she would present their concerns to the Federal Government but warned that the university could not spend funds that had not been budgeted for.

“Circumstances differ from one university to another. You cannot just touch monies not budgeted for so as not to run foul of the law,” she said.

The vice-chancellor added that the university was working towards a sustainable resolution and would continue discussions with the government.

“I will fight for you, but the final answer comes from the government. We have to get something that is sustainable, not something that will be paid and then we stop,” she said.

Ogunsola disclosed that the number of affected workers had reportedly reduced from more than 100 to about 60. She also said the university’s bursar was expected to travel to Abuja to discuss the CONTTA issue and obtain feedback.

The workers, however, maintained that their demand was for fairness and the payment of entitlements they believed were due to them.

Abiodun also appealed to the Minister of Education to intervene, urging the relevant authorities to ensure that eligible health workers were captured in the payment.