Non-academic staff unions, NASU and SSANU, have commenced an indefinite strike action today, Monday, October 28th, 2024. The unions are protesting the non-payment of their four-month withheld salaries, among other demands.
A statement signed by the National President, SSANU, Mohammed Ibrahim, General Secretary, NASU, Prince Peters Adeyemi, said the unions’ ultimatum to the Federal Government expired on Sunday midnight.
They are seeking improved remuneration, earned allowances, and the implementation of the 2009 agreements with the government.
The Federal Government had previously invoked the ‘No Work, No Pay’ policy during a prolonged strike in 2022. While academic staff received a portion of their withheld salaries, non-academic staff have yet to receive any payment.
The unions have expressed disappointment with the government’s selective approach and have called on state-owned universities to join the strike action.
“Your strict compliance and adherence to this directive is mandatory for all NASU and SSANU branches in Federal and State Owned Universities as well as Inter-University Centres,” it read.
It also stated, “The last circular of the Joint Action Committee of Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities titled, “Latest Development in Respect of the Withheld Four Months’ Salaries” referenced JAC/NS/VOL.III/32 dated 21st October 2024 refers.
“The circular under reference gave seven days to the Federal Government to do the needful in respect of our demands for payment of outstanding four months’ salaries and implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) sighed with the Federal Government on 20th August, 2022 which expires midnight of Sunday, 27th October, 2024.”
“It is quite appalling that we have issued several ultimatums thereafter with no positive result from the government, it is therefore obvious that Government is not positively disposed to our rightful and legitimate demands in spite of several interactions, dialogues, exchange of correspondences and assurances of payment all to no avail.
“We have exercised considerable and prolonged patience, allowing multiple deadlines to pass without receiving a satisfactory response to our demands by the Government,”
“This is to direct all our members in the Universities and Inter-University Centres throughout the country to hold a joint congress in their respective campuses on Monday, 28th October, 2024 and proceed on an indefinite, comprehensive and total strike action as no concession should be given in any guise.”
With SSANU members responsible for crucial university operations like bursary, registry, and maintenance, a full-blown strike could bring academic activities to a standstill.
“Our members are in charge of water supply, electricity, communication, internet supply, security, finance, if they pay this money tomorrow (today), we will call off the strike,” SSANU boss Ibrahim stated.
