By Tunbosun Ogundare
October 28, 2024
Members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) have joined a nationwide indefinite strike, following directives from their national leadership.
The announcement was made on Sunday through a circular signed by NASU Secretary-General Prince Adeyemi Peters and SSANU President Mr. Mohammed Ibraheem, instructing branch leaders to conduct congresses with members to prepare for the strike.
On Monday morning, union members gathered at the University’s Senate Building for the congress. Acting SSANU Chairman Gbenga Adenaiya and NASU Chairman Yinka Abiodun addressed attendees, emphasizing that the strike was a direct response to the Federal Government’s failure to pay four months of withheld salaries.
Despite President Bola Tinubu’s earlier approval for the payment, the unions expressed frustration over the lack of action. “We believe that the Minister of Finance, the former Minister of Education, and the Chief of Staff to the President are blocking the payment,” they stated.
The unions announced that this strike would be “total, comprehensive, and indefinite” until their demands are met.
As the strike unfolds, returning students at UNILAG have been informed to prepare for the new academic calendar, with lectures scheduled to begin on November 4.
