Following the calling off of a five-month strike, the management of the Federal University of Technology Minna, (FUTMINNA), has instructed its non-academic staff to work from home, saying that there is no point for them to resume school that is empty of students.
The concerned staff are members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU), the Non-Academic Staff Union of Allied and Education Institutions (NASU) and The National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT).
However, according to a memo issued by the institution’s registrar, Amos N. Kolo and dated September 6, 2022, with reference no. R/GEN/166, the directive exempted staff on essential duties.
The memo addressed to all staff reads in parts:
“In view of the absence of students on campus and the lean finances of the university, the management has resolved that members of SSANU, NASU and NAAT whose unions have called off their strike should for the time being work from home till further notice. Those required to carry out any specific assignment will be called upon when the need arises.
“This directive, however, excludes staff attached to principal officers. They are to maintain their coming to office on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
“Furthermore, those on essential duties, i.e. security and university health services are to maintain the status quo already put in place during the strike period.
“Management shares in the pains being experienced by staff now and hopes that the situation will come to normalcy in no distance time.”