Some academic staff members of the University of Ibadan (UI) have frowned at what they described as unauthorised deductions from their April salaries allegedly carried out by the institution’s management for the alleged recapitalisation of the Nigerian University Pension Management Company Limited (NUPEMCO).
In the pay slips of the staff sighted, the deduction was tagged “ASUU National Level”, which is different from the ASUU mandatory monthly dues.
The aggrieved lecturers alleged that certain amounts were deducted directly from their salaries and remitted to NUPEMCO as part of the company’s recapitalisation process, reportedly ordered by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
NUPEMCO is a licensed Pension Fund Administrator established for staff of Nigerian public universities. However, many members of staff at the university are reportedly subscribed to other pension administrators and not NUPEMCO.
The lecturers argued that the deductions were made without their consent, stressing that those not registered with NUPEMCO should not be compelled to contribute to the company’s recapitalisation.
PrimeStar News gathered that the deductions were allegedly made without prior consultation or approval from the affected staff members.
According to findings, lecturers in the professorial cadre, including Readers and Professors, allegedly had N33,333 deducted from their salaries, while lecturers from the rank of Senior Lecturer downward reportedly lost N19,249.65 each.
Sources further disclosed that the deductions may continue for the next 12 months. If sustained, lecturers in the professorial cadre could lose about N399,996 within one year, while others may forfeit approximately N230,995.80.
One of the affected professors condemned the development, accusing the institution, NUPEMCO, and the local chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) of complicity.
“On what basis is the institution deducting our money for NUPEMCO? Our pension contributions are already being deducted by the pension companies we use, and now NUPEMCO is also deducting money. What is left for us?” the professor queried.
Another lecturer described the deductions as “financial crime,” alleging that the funds were being used for NUPEMCO’s recapitalisation.
“If they do not have enough funds to run the business, they should allow other established pension companies to continue managing staff pensions,” the lecturer said.
Another affected staff member lamented the worsening economic realities confronting lecturers, saying the deductions were adding to their hardship.
“I am not a shareholder in NUPEMCO, and I do not expect dividends from the company. They are deducting from salaries that are already insufficient. I have stopped bringing my car to work because I can no longer afford fuel. After more than 15 years as a lecturer, I now use public transport alongside my students,” the lecturer said.
The lecturer insisted that the deducted money should be refunded immediately, maintaining that staff members who chose other pension administrators should not be forced into NUPEMCO.
A female Lecturer II also condemned the deductions, describing them as fraudulent and tantamount to double pension contributions.
“My salary was short by N19,249.65, and nobody informed us beforehand. My salary is already small. This is unfair, especially to junior lecturers struggling to survive,” she said.
However, PrimeStar News was unable to obtain official statements from the UI ASUU Chairman, Professor Adefemi Afolabi, and the institution’s spokesperson, Adejoke Akinpelu, at the time of filing this report.
The efforts to speak with the duo on the phone proved abortive.
ASUU leadership had better stopped pushing aggrieved lecturers into creating and joining splinter groups. It would be disastrous to also lose ASUU too. A word is enough for the wise.