By Victor Ahiuma-Young

The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, NASU, has raised strong objections over what it describes as a growing wave of illegal check-off deductions and attempts to fragment its membership across various institutions in the country. 

The union said these actions, allegedly perpetrated by some managements and former members, directly violate the Trade Unions Act and threaten the stability of lawful union representation in the Education sector.

The union emphasized that it is already taking strategic and lawful steps to enforce compliance with Nigeria’s labour laws and protect the rights of its members nationwide.

Speaking to Vanguard, the NASU President, Dr. Makolo Hassan, said: “The Trade Unions Act, TUA, provides the legal framework governing trade unions in Nigeria, outlining their jurisdictional scope and membership eligibility. Under the Act, each union is registered to represent specific categories of workers as defined in the Schedules to the law.

“In Part B, Item 27 of the Third Schedule, the Act clearly defines the jurisdictional scope and membership coverage of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, NASU.

“The Act further upholds the principle of union exclusivity, which prohibits the registration of another trade union to represent workers already covered by an existing union within the same sector.

“However, despite these unambiguous provisions, some individuals—including former NASU members and their collaborators—have continued to engage in or facilitate the registration of splinter unions in sectors where NASU is already legally recognised.

“Additionally, a few managements in certain institutions, in an attempt to weaken NASU’s influence, have adopted unethical and illegal practices such as deducting check-off dues from employees and channeling these funds to unregistered associations.

“NASU is fully aware of these actions and remains steadfast in defending its lawful jurisdiction. The union is taking all legitimate and strategic measures to ensure strict compliance with Nigeria’s labour laws and to protect the rights and interests of its members across all educational and associated institutions.

He made it clear that “Trade unions exist primarily to protect the rights and welfare of their members. NASU remains unwavering in its commitment to this mandate. We will continue to ensure that every issue affecting our members—whether collective or individual—receives the attention and resolution it deserves.

Hassan assured NASU members that “the Union will continue to do everything within its power to safeguard your rights, defend your interests, and promote justice and fairness in all workplaces.”