The Federal Government has denied the accusation that it paid members of the Academic Staff Union of Nigeria (ASUU) half salaries in October.

Head of Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment,Mr Olajide Oshundun, said this in a statement in reaction to reports on alleged selective treatment and half salary payment to ASUU members. He described both reports as grossly inaccurate, misleading and barefaced distortion of facts.

He noted that members of ASUU were paid their October salary pro-rata, and not half salary as the media widely reported. According to him, pro-rata was done because they cannot be paid for work not done. He also said that the Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige, never directed the Accountant General of the Federation to pay the university lecturers half salary.

He added counting from the day they suspended their industrial action, pro-rata was done because they cannot be paid for work not done.