The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) have declared a one-day nationwide protest scheduled for Thursday, following what they described as the Federal Government’s failure to address long-standing demands affecting university workers.
Both unions, under the umbrella of their Joint Action Committee (JAC), said all university branches have been directed to mobilise members across campuses for the protest, which will feature rallies, placard displays, and press briefings to draw attention to their grievances.
The decision to embark on the protest was taken on October 6, after JAC reviewed what it called the Federal Government’s “unsatisfactory response” to a series of ultimatums issued earlier in the year.
The unresolved issues include:
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- Alleged unjust disbursement of ₦50 billion Earned Allowances;
- Delay in renegotiating the 2009 FGN/NASU/SSANU Agreement;
- Non-payment of the outstanding two-month salaries;
- Non-payment of 25% and 35% salary arrears; and
- Non-remittance of third-party deductions from May and June 2022 salaries.
JAC said the government had been given ample time to act but failed to meet any of its commitments.
“Following two meetings held with the Ministry of Education’s Joint Consultative Committee, our demands remain unresolved despite the 14-day extension of our ultimatum,” the unions stated.
In a memo titled “Commencement of Protest Actions” dated October 6, and jointly signed by Prince Peters Adeyemi, NASU General Secretary, and Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, SSANU National President, the unions instructed all branch leaders to convene joint congresses on Wednesday, October 8, to prepare members for Thursday’s mass action.
“All members of NASU and SSANU in both federal and state-owned universities are expected to strictly comply with this directive. Your cooperation and adherence are essential to achieving success in our demands,” the memo read.
The unions said they were left with no choice but to take to the streets after “several unfulfilled promises” by the government, despite multiple meetings and consultations.
FG Accused of Insincerity in Labour Dealings
Naija News reports that SSANU’s National President, Mohammed Ibrahim, recently accused the Federal Government of lacking sincerity in its engagements with the unions.
“Ours will not be the ‘mother of all strikes,’ it will be the grandfather of all strikes. When SSANU or NASU strike, you know what it means. We must take our destinies in our hands,” Ibrahim warned.
He lamented that non-academic university staff have continued to suffer neglect and poor working conditions, describing their situation as financially, economically, and psychologically devastating.
“Our members are the worst hit. We have become invisible in the scheme of things, despite our critical role in the university system,” he said.
The unions had earlier issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Federal Government on September 15, which was later extended by another 14 days, expiring on October 6, without any resolution.
The government’s attempt to address the issues through a Joint Consultative Committee, chaired by the Minister of Education, reportedly made “little progress,” prompting JAC’s call for mass mobilisation.
The unions said Thursday’s protest was a precursor to a potential total and indefinite strike if the government continues to ignore their demands.
Naija News reports that SSANU and NASU have been locked in recurring disputes with the Federal Government, similar to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), over unpaid allowances, welfare issues, and violations of collective agreements.
While ASUU represents academic staff, NASU and SSANU handle administrative, technical, and support functions essential to the operation of universities.
Their previous strike in 2022 paralysed non-academic operations across public universities, forcing management to suspend services such as admissions, examinations, and registry functions.
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