Striking research institute workers demand commission, scheme of service

Researchers in Nigeria have called on the Federal Government to release a new condition and scheme of service for researchers as well as to establish a national research commission (NARECOM) to regulate their activities.

Addressing newsmen in Kaduna, the National Public Relations Officer of the Academic Staff Union of Research Institutions of Nigeria (ASURI), Comrade Chris Onotu, said the union embarked on strike on February 3, 2014, due to failure of the government to release condition and scheme of service that is in consonant with the realities on ground.

Onotu, who was in company of representatives from research institutes including National Institute for Trypanosomiasis and Onchocerciasis Research (NITR), Nigeria Institute of Leather Science Technology (NILEST) and National Research Institute for Chemical Technology (NARICT) among others, noted that the struggle for the condition and new scheme of service started ten years ago.

“We have been clamouring for issues that have to do with research institutions and research as a whole in Nigeria. ASURI has always stood fast in ensuring that welfare of researchers is in order and that research coming out from Nigeria meets international best practices. We have constantly pointed out issues that are hindering research in Nigeria. We have also advocated for the establishment of a National Research Commission (NARECOM),” he said.

He added: “The minimum standard for any research institute is a ratio of three researchers to one non-researcher but the Federal Government said they will use the minimum standard of four researchers to one non-researcher and I don’t even think any research institute is complying with that structural formation and this is because of the lack of a commission to regulate our activities”.