SSANU and NASU Urge Immediate Payment of Withheld Salaries Amid Ongoing Strike

October 29, 2024

By Adetutu Sobowale

The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (SSANU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (NASU) have called on Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, to release four months’ worth of withheld salaries for their members. This demand follows President Bola Tinubu’s recent approval for the disbursement of these funds.

During an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Show, SSANU President Muhammed Ibrahim emphasized that the time for negotiations has passed. “The Ministry of Finance should just do the needful. That’s all,” he stated, urging for a swift resolution.

Ibrahim acknowledged informal outreach from the government but expressed skepticism due to a history of unfulfilled promises. “We are not too excited about it because we have had it severally. There is a very short and fast way to solve this problem,” he added. He stressed that all procedural steps had been taken and now only the payment remained.

On Monday, members of both unions commenced an indefinite strike across public universities, demanding immediate payment of their withheld salaries. They directed their members to hold joint congresses nationwide and began a total strike, rejecting any concessions from the government.

The unions criticized the government for prioritizing the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) by releasing their withheld salaries while non-academic staff continue to wait. They pointed out that after a collective eight-month strike in 2022, the previous administration implemented a “No Work, No Pay” policy. While ASUU members received their payments last October, SSANU and NASU members have not.

In April, Education Minister Tahir Mamman attributed the delay in payments to a “communication problem,” denying any discrimination. However, SSANU and NASU argue that the government’s actions reflect systemic unfairness, as they continue to advocate for the full payment of their owed salaries.

The unions remain steadfast, stating that the resolution of this issue is essential for the resumption of normal university activities.

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