By Sunday Apah
The Joint Action Committee, representing the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, has announced an indefinite strike set to begin today, resulting in the shutdown of university activities nationwide.
In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by SSANU National President Mohammed Ibrahim and NASU General Secretary Prince Peters Adeyemi, the unions expressed dissatisfaction, citing that their ultimatum to the Federal Government regarding unpaid salaries had lapsed at midnight.
The unions are demanding the payment of four months’ withheld salaries, enhanced remuneration, earned allowances, and the enforcement of 2009 agreements made with the government.
In 2022, the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Labour and Employment, enacted the ‘No Work, No Pay’ policy in response to an extended strike by four university-based unions.
Last October, President Bola Tinubu approved the payment of four out of eight months of withheld salaries for academic staff, which was eventually processed in February. However, non-teaching staff were left in uncertainty regarding their own withheld salaries, leading to perceptions of unfair treatment.
Despite numerous protests, ultimatums, and warning strikes, the unions continue to face delays, with no resolution in sight regarding back pay. The latest statement urges all state-owned universities to align local demands with the ongoing strike.
The unions declared, “Compliance with this directive is mandatory for all NASU and SSANU branches in both Federal and State-owned universities, as well as Inter-University Centres.”
The memorandum referenced the previous circular dated October 21, 2024, which required the Federal Government to address the outstanding salary concerns by October 27. In a Peaceful Protest held on July 18, 2024, the unions provided a final 10-day warning to the government to act or face a full shutdown of university operations.
Both unions expressed exasperation at the government’s failure to respond positively to their demands. They emphasized their extensive patience and willingness to resolve the matter through dialogue, which has unfortunately yielded no results.
The strike is set to affect essential campus operations, as SSANU members handle critical services such as water, electricity, and security. SSANU President Ibrahim indicated that if the government addresses their financial demands promptly, the strike may be reconsidered.
This development comes on the heels of the resignation of outgoing Minister of Education Professor Mamman Tahir, who was directed by President Tinubu to transition responsibilities to incoming Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa on Wednesday.
Attempts to obtain a statement from the Federal Ministry of Education regarding the unions’ industrial action were unsuccessful at the time of this report.
Earlier this year, the unions held a brief warning strike due to lack of response from the education ministry concerning their concerns. In July, they staged nationwide protests to draw attention to their plight. After a meeting in July, ministry representatives stated that the withheld salaries were under review at the highest levels of government.
Despite recent ultimatums and promises from President Tinubu for salary disbursements, the funds have yet to materialize, prompting further frustration among union members.
The unions acknowledge the President’s approval for salary payments, asserting that these decisions have not been executed by the relevant authorities.
“It is disheartening that, despite various approvals from the President, our members have not received the owed payments, indicating a disconnect between the government’s commitments and actions,” they said in a statement.
