The Joint Action Committee of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has directed its members to embark on an indefinite strike starting today, October 28, 2024.
This decision follows the expiration of the seven-day ultimatum given to the Federal Government to address the unions’ demands.
*Key Demands:*
– _Payment of four months’ withheld salaries_
– _Improved remuneration_
– _Earned allowances_
– _Implementation of the 2009 agreements with the government_
The strike is expected to affect all federal and state-owned universities, as well as inter-university centers across the country. SSANU members, who are responsible for critical facilities on campuses, such as water supply, electricity, and security, will join the strike, potentially grinding university activities to a halt.
SSANU President Mohammed Ibrahim emphasized that the strike will only be called off if the government meets their demands, stating, “Our members are in charge of water supply, electricity, communication, internet supply, security, finance, if they pay this money tomorrow (today), we will call off the strike.”
The Federal Government had previously invoked the ‘No Work, No Pay’ policy during the 2022 strike, and President Bola Tinubu directed the payment of four months’ withheld salaries for academic staff in October 2023. However, the non-teaching staff’s salaries remain unpaid.
The unions have expressed frustration with the government’s lack of response to their demands, despite multiple ultimatums and protests. “It is quite appalling that we have issued several ultimatums thereafter with no positive result from the government,” they stated.
As the strike begins, the Federal Ministry of Education has yet to react to the industrial action. The outgoing Minister of Education, Prof. Mamman Tahir, is set to hand over to the incoming Dr. Tunji Alausa on Wednesday.
