Tinubu Invokes Presidential Prerogative of Mercy, Okays Partial Waiver of ‘No Work, No Pay’ for ASUU Members

*Directs release of 4 out of 8 months withheld salaries 

*Striking resident doctors also get pay waiver

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

President Bola Tinubu yesterday invoked the principle of presidential prerogative of mercy by approving the partial waiver of the “No Work, No Pay” order instituted against members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in federal universities following their eight-month industrial action that began on February 14, 2022, before its suspension on October 17, 2022.
On the same day, the President also approved the waiver of the “No Work, No Pay” order instituted against striking members of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) on August 1, 2023, following their strike which started on July 26, 2023.

The Presidency in a statement said the decision to pay ASUU members four-month salaries was taken “in view of his determination to mitigate the difficulties being felt during the implementation of key economic reforms in the country, as well as his recognition of the faithful implementation of terms which were agreed upon during the fruitful deliberations between ASUU and the federal government.”
The statement signed by Media Adviser, Ajuri Ngelale, adds: “President Tinubu, has directed the grant of an exceptional last waiver of the “No Work, No Pay” Order on ASUU, which will allow for the previously striking members of ASUU to receive four months of salary accruals out of the eight months of salary which was withheld during the eight-month industrial action undertaken by the union.
“The President granted the waiver with a mandatory requirement that the Federal Ministry of Education and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment must secure a Document of Understanding (DoU) establishing that this exceptional waiver granted will be the last one to be granted to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and all other Education Sector Unions.”

Residents Doctors Also Get Pay Waiver

President Tinubu also approved the waiver of the “No Work, No Pay” Order that was instituted against striking resident doctors on August 1, 2023, following their strike on July 26, 2023.
After several constructive engagements between the federal government and NARD, the resident doctors called off their strike on August 12, 2023.
The Office of the Accountant General of the Federation was directed to withhold all salaries accrued by striking NARD members during the 17 days of their strike.
The federal government in a statement said: “In view of the faithful implementation of terms which were agreed upon during the fruitful deliberations between the resident doctors and the federal government, President Tinubu has directed the grant of an exceptional last waiver of the “No Work, No Pay” Order on Resident Doctors, which will allow for the members of the NARD to receive the salaries which were previously withheld during the 17-day strike action.
“The President directed the grant of the waiver with a mandatory requirement that the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment must secure a Document of Understanding (DoU) establishing that this exceptional waiver granted by the President will be the last one to be granted to the National Association of Resident Doctors and all other Health Sector Unions.”

Chira Named New Auditor General of the Federation

President Tinubu also approved the appointment of Mr. Shaakaa Chira as the substantive Auditor-General of the Federation, as recommended by the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC).
The appointment, according to a statement from the Presidency, was in line with the powers vested in the President by Section 86 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (As Amended).
“President Tinubu approved of Chira’s appointment after the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) conducted a screening exercise that identified him as the most qualified candidate who had also scored the highest in the examination among all qualified candidates for the office.
“The President expects the new Auditor-General to justify the confidence reposed in him and to live up to the high expectations that Nigerians have concerning the execution of the Renewed Hope Agenda of his administration,” said the statement.

New DGs for 2 Agencies in Health Sector

Also yesterday, President Tinubu approved the appointment of two new Chief Executive Officers for agencies under the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
The new appointees are Executive Secretary/CEO, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Muyi Aina and Director-General/CEO, National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr. Kelechi Ohiri.
Aina is a globally renowned public health leader with a Master’s in Public Health degree from Harvard University (USA) and a Doctorate degree from Johns Hopkins University (USA), following his first medical certification at the University of Ilorin.
Ohiri until recently served as the Managing Director for Strategy at Global Alliance for Vaccines in Geneva, Switzerland.
He obtained a Master’s in Public Health degree from Harvard University (USA) and another Master’s degree in Public Policy from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government following his first medical certification from the University of Lagos.
He has obtained significant experience serving in the World Bank, McKinsey & Company, and has shaped reforms to the National Health Service (NHS) of the United Kingdom.
President Tinubu urged the new leadership of these two critical agencies in the sector to prioritize quality, fairness, and accountability in the provision of world-class health care to all segments of the Nigerian society.