October 30, 2024
By Grace Edema
The Joint Action Committee of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (SSANU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (NASU) has reported a lack of official communication from the Federal Government regarding their ongoing strike.
On Monday, the two unions initiated an indefinite strike in response to four months of withheld salaries, effectively disrupting university operations across the country.
In an interview with PUNCH Online on Tuesday night, SSANU National Vice-President Abdussobur Salaam stated, “There’s no update on the ongoing strike; it continues. Some informal contacts were made between the minister of state for education and our union executives, but there’s been no real progress, just an informal appeal.”
Salaam emphasized the prolonged nature of the issue, citing unfulfilled promises and expired ultimatums. “We urge the authorities to take decisive action; we have come too far and can no longer accept empty promises. If we don’t receive our payments, we won’t back down.”
A statement from SSANU, signed by National President Mohammed Ibrahim and NASU General Secretary Prince Peters Adeyemi, confirmed that the ultimatum issued to the Federal Government regarding the unpaid salaries expired at midnight on Sunday.
The unions are demanding not only the payment of the outstanding salaries but also improved remuneration, earned allowances, and adherence to the 2009 agreements with the government.
The Federal Government had previously implemented a ‘No Work, No Pay’ policy in response to strikes by university-based unions, which were notably prolonged in 2022.
In a circular, the unions had given the government a seven-day deadline to address their demands, which expired on October 27. This ultimatum followed a National Peaceful Protest held by the unions on July 18, 2024, where they warned of a potential shutdown of university activities if their grievances were not addressed.
As the situation develops, the unions remain resolute in their stance, highlighting the urgent need for the government to act.
