SSANU, NASU To Embark On Indefinite Strike, Issues Three Weeks Ultimatum

The Joint Action Committee of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) has issued a warning that they will embark on an indefinite strike if their unpaid salaries are not settled within the next three weeks.

The unions are pressing for several demands, including the payment of four months’ withheld salaries, better compensation, earned allowances, and the full implementation of the 2009 agreements with the government.

After a prolonged strike by the four university-based unions in 2022, the Federal Government, via the Ministry of Labour and Employment, implemented the ‘No Work, No Pay’ policy.

In a joint statement signed by SSANU President, Mohammed Ibrahim, and NASU General Secretary, Prince Peters Adeyemi, the unions indicated that the Federal Government had been given a 10-day grace period, which ended on July 26, 2024, to clear the outstanding four months of salaries owed to university staff. They warned that universities and inter-university centers would be shut down if payment was not made.

However, six weeks after the grace period elapsed, the government has yet to fulfill this obligation.

“It is in light of the above that we inform the government of the decision of the National JAC of NASU and SSANU, at the meeting held on 12th September 2024, that the government is given a final three-week ultimatum from Tuesday, 17th September 2024, to pay the four months’ withheld salaries and implement the agreement reached on 20th August 2022. Failing this, our members may be forced to embark on indefinite strike action at the expiration of the ultimatum,” Ibrahim said.

The statement added that, during the National Minimum Wage meeting, President Bola Tinubu had approved the payment of the four months’ withheld salaries on 18th July 2024, following discussions with the leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress.

“We have it on good authority that Mr President approved the payment of the four months’ withheld salaries as far back as 18th July 2024 at the National Minimum Wage meeting with the NLC and TUC leadership.

“Recently, we also heard that Mr President has approved the actual release of the payment. Regrettably, despite these approvals, nothing has been forthcoming,” the statement added.