UNIBEN: August Salaries Paid Full, Refutes Half-Pay Claims

• The University of Benin denied reports of paying half salaries for August to academic staff, confirming full payment to all categories of staff.
• The local ASUU chapter suspended its indefinite strike, which began September 9, after UNIBEN promised to pay outstanding Earned Academic Allowance components by September 18.
• UNIBEN management clarified the distinction between salaries and allowances to ASUU, highlighting tax implications under the new Nigeria Tax Reform Act.
• Both the federal government's and the University Governing Council's portions of academic staff allowances were fully paid after necessary verifications.
• The university urged stakeholders to seek official clarification for concerns to prevent future industrial disputes and maintain campus harmony.

The university underscored the potential risks and "jeopardy" to staff members who might not fully grasp the statutory differences outlined in the new Nigeria Tax Reform Act.

The University of Benin (UNIBEN) has firmly refuted allegations that it disbursed only half of its academic staff's salaries for August, labeling such reports as entirely unfounded. This clarification comes as the local chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU UNIBEN) concluded an indefinite industrial action that commenced on September 9. The strike, which stemmed from a dispute over payment issues, was suspended following a commitment from the university administration to settle outstanding Earned Academic Allowance (EAA) components for June, July, and August by September 18.

In a statement released on Friday, Benedicta Ehanire, the university's Public Relations Officer, confirmed that all academic staff received their full August salaries, consistent with previous months. This was made possible by a payment warrant issued by the Federal Government, which facilitated the timely disbursement of salaries to all categories of university staff before the close of August. Furthermore, the federal government's share of allowances designated for academic staff, which had experienced delays due to the late release of the necessary warrant, was also fully paid. This payment aligned with the warrant distributed by the government to all tertiary institutions nationwide.

Beyond federal contributions, the University Governing Council's specific allowance portion, due to certain academic staff categories, has also been processed. This payment followed a thorough verification process to confirm the eligibility of the recipients. The university management's proactive communication aims to provide comprehensive clarity regarding the University of Benin academic staff payments and the resolution of the recent UNIBEN salary dispute.

A crucial aspect of the recent discussions between UNIBEN management and the local ASUU branch involved a detailed clarification of the distinction between salaries and various allowances payable to different staff categories. During this meeting, union leadership was specifically informed about the significant tax implications that arise from combining these distinct emoluments. The university underscored the potential risks and "jeopardy" to staff members who might not fully grasp the statutory differences outlined in the new Nigeria Tax Reform Act. This legislative framework mandates a clear separation of income components, which, if not properly understood and applied, could lead to adverse financial consequences for individuals.

This emphasis on differentiating income components is vital for compliance officers and legal counsel advising Nigerian tertiary institutions. It highlights the necessity of understanding how the Nigeria Tax Reform Act impacts staff emoluments, particularly in distinguishing between basic salaries and various allowances. The university's stance suggests a proactive approach to ensure proper statutory compliance and prevent future misunderstandings that could lead to industrial unrest. The clarification sought to address the complexities surrounding Earned Academic Allowance UNIBEN payments and other financial entitlements, ensuring transparency and adherence to legal frameworks, thereby contributing to the UNIBEN salary dispute clarification.

The management of the University of Benin has expressed its belief that these comprehensive clarifications regarding emolument payments should effectively resolve the ongoing controversies. The institution aims to ensure that all stakeholders, including staff and students, can continue to benefit from the prevailing atmosphere of peace and harmony within the university community. To maintain this stability and prevent future industrial actions, the management has reiterated the importance of official clarification for any concerns raised by stakeholders, including staff unions. This proactive engagement is deemed essential to avoid unnecessary disputes on campus, reinforcing the commitment to a stable academic environment following the UNIBEN ASUU strike resolution.

Compliance officers and legal counsel advising Nigerian tertiary institutions or staff unions should note the emphasis on distinguishing between salaries and allowances, particularly concerning the 'new Nigeria Tax Reform Act' and its tax implications, to prevent industrial disputes and ensure proper statutory compliance.

Source: Original reporting via PUNCH Newspaper