COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE 39TH NATIONAL DELEGATES CONFERENCE (NDC) OF SENIOR STAFF UNION IN COLLEGES OF EDUCATION, NIGERIA (SSUCOEN), HELD AT COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, WAKA-BIU, BORNO STATE, FROM 3rd – 9th NOVEMBER, 2024.

• PREAMBLE:

The Senior Staff Union in Colleges of Education, Nigeria (SSUCOEN), at its 39th National Delegates Conference (NDC), held at the College of Education, Waka-Biu, Borno State, deliberated on a wide range of topical National issues and other issues affecting the education sector; the Colleges of Education Sub-Sector; and particularly its members.

At the end of the Conference, Delegates, among other things, issued the following declarations:

• APPRECIATION

1. Management of COE Waka-Biu, and the Government of Borno State

The Union wishes to appreciate the Executive Governor of Borno State, His Excellency, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, Distinguished Senator Ali Ndume, Hon. Muktar Aliyu Betara, His Royal Highness (Dr.) Mustapha Umar Mustapha II—the Emir of Biu, and other Borno State Government delegation who graced our occasion.

The Union equally applauds the host Provost and Management of the College of Education, Waka-Biu, for their unparalleled hospitality during the 39^th National Delegates Conference. Special gratitude goes to the Provost, Dr. Gambo M. Saljaba, for creating an enabling environment for a successful hosting. A special thanks go to the host Chairman, Comrade Ibrahim Muhammed Kida, the chapter executive, congressmen and women, for the sacrifice of their resources towards lightening the burdens of the delegates. This appreciation will not be complete without recognizing and acknowledging the contributions and support of Comrade Daniel Musa Mshelia, the Zonal Secretary, North East Zone, who worked tirelessly to ensure that the Conference was a success.

• STATE OF THE NATION

1. Incessant/Worsening State of Insecurity

While the Union appreciates the efforts of our gallant armed forces and other security agencies in combatting worrisome state of insecurity and other forms of crime in Nigeria; the Delegates wish to condole with the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Sen. Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR), the immediate family and the entire Nigerians over the death of Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, the immediate past Chief of Army Staff. We pray for the repose of his soul and that of other security operatives who died in active service, to find peace in the bosom of the Almighty God.

Delegates in session, while reflecting on the deteriorating state of insecurity in the country, strongly condemned the rampant spate of insecurity and kidnappings for ransome, which have plagued the country, causing immeasurable suffering and anguish to countless Nigerians.

The Union, therefore, demands that the Government and security agencies should rise to the occasion and take decisive and collective action to address the crisis, protect citizens’ lives and property, bring the perpetrators to justice, and ensure that Nigeria becomes a safe and secure nation for all.

2. Incessant Collapse of the National Grid

Delegates in session noted with serious concern, the deplorable state of electricity supply to Nigerian citizens, occasioned by the frequent collapse of the National Grid which is becoming a daily routine. Not forgetting the fact that there has been the withdrawal of subsidies on electricity tariffs, a development that has increased electricity bills astronomically. It was expected that the incidents of epileptic power supply would be long forgotten. Unfortunately, the nation has been thrown into total darkness, thus, affecting and crippling businesses and day-to-day activities in the Nation. The Conference, therefore, calls on the Government, especially the Minister of Power and other relevant authorities to rise to the occasion and save the nation from this National embarrassment.

3. Uncontrolled Inflation and Rise in Prices of Goods and Services

It is with sorrow and grief that the Union wishes to add its voice to the ongoing lamentations by Nigerians over the uncontrolled inflationary rates; exchange rates; high interest rates; and above all, the skyrocketing prices of goods and services in the country, which has eroded the purchasing power of Nigerian workers, putting them in untold hardships.

The Delegates in session equally condemned the proposed 2024 Tax Bill sent to the National Assembly from the Executive Arm of the Government. The Union wishes to remind the Government that the 2024 Tax Bill will further impoverish the common man. We therefore condemned this proposed bill in strong terms and called for its total rejection by the National Assembly.

4. Deplorable Conditions of Nigerian Roads

Delegates noted with serious concern, the deplorable condition of roads across Nigeria, which are now death traps. Road travels, which is the only option available to the common Nigerians are characterized with so many hazards and risks. Delegates therefore call on the Federal Government and State Governments to, as a matter of urgency, declare a state of emergency on Nigerian roads in order to restore the hope of the common man.

5. Removal of Subsidies on Petrol and Hike in Electricity Tariffs

The Conference discussed the incessant hike in the price of petroleum products, especially Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and Electricity Tariffs. The decision was deemed to be quite an insensitive and callous move that has caused more hardship to Nigerians than ever witnessed in the history of Nigeria. The Union, therefore, strongly condemned the decision and demanded an immediate reversal. Also, the Government has been called upon to demonstrate sensitivity and a sense of responsibility toward the protection of the welfare and well-being of its citizens, not to prioritize profits over its citizens.

• THE BANE/PLIGHT OF THE EDUCATION SECTOR:

1. Call for Increased Budgetary Allocation to the Education Sector

The Conference urged both the Federal and State Governments in Nigeria to prioritize the future of our nation by significantly increasing budgetary allocation to the education sector. Nigeria’s current allocation of less than 8% of the national budget falls short of the UNESCO’s recommended 26% for developing countries. This inadequate funding has resulted in infrastructural decay, outdated research facilities, and mass migration of professionals overseas. To drive socio-economic growth, reduce poverty, and foster national development, it is imperative that the government allocates at least 20% of the notional budget to education. This will enable the sector to address pressing challenges, improve teacher training, enhance learning outcomes, retain professionals, and provide access to quality education for all Nigerians. The Conference, further called on policymakers to recognize education as a critical investment in our collective future and act accordingly.

2. Appointment of new Ministers of Education

Delegates congratulates the newly appointed Minister of Education, Dr. Morufu Olatunji Alausa, and the Minister of State, Education, Dr. Suwaiba Saidu Ahmad, for their well-deserved appointment as Minister of Education and Minister of State, Education, respectively. While the Union felicitate with them on their appointments, it called on them to, as a matter of urgency, focus their efforts towards the total revamping and repositioning of the failing educational sector, especially the public educational institutions and Teacher Education, in particular.

The Union equally appreciates the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, His Excellency Sen. Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) for finding the two appointees worthy of their appointments, and called on Mr President to give them the needed support to accomplish the enormous challenging tasks ahead of them.

• SPECIFIC CHALLENGES OF COLLEGES OF EDUCATIONT AND SSUCOEN MEMBERS:

1. Conversion of Colleges of Education to Universities

Delegates in session frowned at the rampant conversion of some Colleges of Education to Universities by the Federal and State Governments, even when the Act establishing Colleges of Education, 2023 (as amended), provides for a dual mandate that allows Colleges to run and award both NCE and Degrees, as noted in 3 above.

On this note, the Union appreciates the Kano State Governor, His Excellency, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf for reverting Sa’adatu Rimi University of Education, Kombotso, to its former status as College of Education, Kumbotso, Kano State, in conformity with the provisions of dual mandate in the 2023 Act, (as amended). This move is highly commendable and worthy of emulation by other State governments.

2. The 2023 FCEs ACT

The Conference, while still expressing its appreciation to the Government, the National Assembly, and other relevant stakeholders for the Repeal and Re-enactment of the Act establishing Federal Colleges of Education, it further urged relevant stakeholders and Provosts to ensure the full implementation of the provisions of the Act. Delegates in session further called on various state governments to take advantage of the provisions therein, especially the Dual Mandate of running both NCE and Degrees concurrently by Colleges, without affiliation to Universities.

3. Domestication of 65 years Retirement Age

Delegates in session observed with dismay, how some State Governments are yet to implement the 65 years retirement age for workers in their Colleges, even 14 years after its implementation. The Union therefore, calls on the State Governments who are yet to implement the 65 years retirement age, to implement it in their respective states.

4. Mainstreaming of Staff Demonstration Schools

The Conference appreciated the efforts of the Hon. Minister of Education; the Chairman, National Salaries, Incomes & Wages Commission (NSI&WC); the Permanent Secretary, FME; and other Critical Stakeholders for their commitment in the mainstreaming of staff of Demonstration schools. Delegates further calls on them to ensure the completion of the process with a view to commencing work on 1st January, 2025, as contained in the report, since the exercise was long overdue.

5. TETFund Sponsorship

The Conference called on the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to consider extending its sponsorship for Staff Development and Training to Senior Non-Teaching Staff in Colleges of Education to ease the difficulties of self-sponsorship, especially as the acquisition of a Master’s Degree is a requirement for promotion to the ranks of Deputy Registrar and Bursar and appointment of Registrar and Bursar. In addition, it is equally important to acknowledge the crucial roles being played by Senior Non-Teaching staff in the growth and delivery of the mandates of the College of Education sub-sector. That notwithstanding, the most recent decision to include a few Non-Teaching Carders was appreciated.

6. Revitalization Fund

While expressing its sincere appreciation to the Federal Government for the approval and release of the Fifteen Billion Naira Revitalization Fund to Public Colleges of Education, the Union further calls on the Federal Government to hasten the release of the second tranche of the fund, to Colleges who are yet to access the 2nd and the last tranches, without further delays. This is to ensure prudent and judicious use of the fund by the beneficiary institutions, amidst the present inflationary trends which is fast eroding the value of the fund.

7. Transition of Tertiary Institutions from IPPIS to GIFMIS

While the Conference expressed its appreciation for the Federal Executive Council’s recent decision to exit tertiary institutions from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) payment platform; the Union, however, calls on the Federal Government to tardy the process, pending when the technical issues of concern, such as Peculiar Allowance (PAA/PNA) and completion of the renegotiation of the 2010, FGN/SSUCOEN agreement, are fully addressed, before exiting the IPPIS platform. Delegates equally called on the federal government to engage the Union with a view to coming with a better payment platform that would accommodate areas of concern, before migrating from the IPPIS platform. It further called on government to ensure the immediate and full payment of all outstanding arrears of promotion, wage award, 25%/35%, the minimum wage and all withheld third-party deductions, in the interest of industrial harmony. The Union further calls on the Chairman, NSI&WC and the Director General, Budget office of the Federation, to ensure the inclusion of PAA/PNA in the personnel budget line of each College.

8. Implementation of the National Minimum Wage/Payment of Arrears

Delegates in session decried the haphazard implementation of the new National Minimum Wage and the negative impact that it has had on the purchasing power of workers, especially that the consequential adjustment was nothing to ride home about. This development has rendered the previous proclamation of the government to pay workers a living wage, a mere lip service. It was also noted that some state governments were yet to implement the new minimum wage. The Conference, therefore, called on the states who are yet to implement the new National Minimum Wage, to speedily implement it, in the interest of industrial disharmony.

The Conference, notwithstanding, applauded some State Governments that have implemented the New National Minimum Wage, especially states that are paying above the approved N70,000.00.

• CONCLUSION

SSUCOEN remains dedicated to collaborating with Governments and other relevant stakeholders towards ensuring that the Colleges of Education sub-sector operates smoothly, towards a better teacher education in Nigeria.

The Union will continue to advocate for policies that promote quality education, enhance staff welfare, and guarantee a secure and conducive environment for teaching and learning as well as administrative functions.

Comrd. Danladi Ali Msheliza, FCPM, FANC, FNLI, MNIM             Comrd. Nwenyi Leo Isioma, MNIM

(President)                                                                                 (National Secretary)