The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) have announced the suspension of their indefinite strike, which began on October 28, 2024, due to withheld salaries from 2022.
Following the federal government’s decision on November 2 to release the salaries of striking workers along with pending benefits for retirees, NASU and SSANU have directed their state chairpersons to halt the strike effective November 5, 2024. However, they emphasized that two months of withheld salaries remain unpaid.
In a statement, the joint action committee of the unions acknowledged the need for further discussions regarding the outstanding salaries, N50 billion in earned allowances, and arrears from wage awards. They expressed a commitment to continue negotiations with relevant government ministries to resolve these issues.
The backdrop of this situation traces back to 2022 when the federal government withheld salaries of university staff who participated in an eight-month strike. Although President Bola Tinubu approved the release of four months’ salary for public university teaching staff in October 2023, non-teaching staff felt overlooked and discriminated against.
The unions have previously indicated their intention to escalate protests if their grievances were not addressed, highlighting ongoing frustrations with the government’s handling of salary payments and negotiations. The current suspension of the strike marks a cautious step towards resolution, with both NASU and SSANU remaining vigilant as discussions continue.
