Universities across Nigeria are on the brink of closure as the non-academic staff unions, the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU, begins indefinite strike today.
The unions, frustrated by withheld salaries and unmet agreements, are demanding immediate action from the federal government.
Their grievances have been fueled by the government’s silence on their outstanding demands, despite several protests, ultimatums, and a previous partial salary release for academic staff.
At the heart of the issue lies a prolonged battle over unpaid salaries. In 2022, when university unions went on strike, the federal government invoked a “No Work, No Pay” policy, resulting in withheld salaries for all staff.
Although academic staff saw four months of their withheld salaries released following President Bola Tinubu’s directive, the non-teaching staff remained in limbo. This exclusion intensified tensions, with NASU and SSANU accusing the government of neglecting the non-teaching workforce, which includes essential personnel responsible for campus operations.
The group stated that the union issued an ultimatum last week, which expired on Sunday at midnight.
They demanded the payment of four months of withheld salaries, as well as the implementation of a 2009 agreement and improved remuneration. When no action was taken, they directed their members to initiate a nationwide strike.
The statement reads, “Your strict compliance and adherence to this directive is mandatory for all NASU and SSANU branches in Federal and State Owned Universities as well as Inter-University Centres.
“The last circular of the Joint Action Committee of Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities titled, “Latest Development in Respect of the Withheld Four Months’ Salaries” referenced JAC/NS/VOL.III/32 dated 21st October 2024 refers.
“The circular under reference gave seven days to the Federal Government to do the needful in respect of our demands for payment of outstanding four months’ salaries and implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) sighed with the Federal Government on 20th August, 2022 which expires midnight of Sunday, 27th October, 2024.”
“It is quite appalling that we have issued several ultimatums thereafter with no positive result from the government, it is therefore obvious that Government is not positively disposed to our rightful and legitimate demands in spite of several interactions, dialogues, exchange of correspondences and assurances of payment all to no avail.
“We have exercised considerable and prolonged patience, allowing multiple deadlines to pass without receiving a satisfactory response to our demands by the Government.
“This is to direct all our members in the Universities and Inter-University Centres throughout the country to hold a joint congress in their respective campuses on Monday, 28th October, 2024 and proceed on an indefinite, comprehensive and total strike action as no concession should be given in any guise.”
Union leaders, including SSANU National President Mohammed Ibrahim and NASU General Secretary Prince Peters Adeyemi, insist that campus facilities such as water, electricity, internet, security, and other essential services will halt until the government meets their demands.
Attempts to reach the Federal Ministry of Education for comment were unsuccessful, but the ministry previously stated that the issue of withheld salaries was escalated to the “highest level of government.”
However, NASU and SSANU claim that the government has failed to honor even the approvals reportedly granted by President Tinubu for payment of outstanding salaries.
As the unions move forward with the strike, many university campuses are expected to experience disruptions, with essential services grinding to a halt.
