The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has suspended its ongoing strike for a month. The decision comes after the Federal Government paid one month’s salary out of the four months owed to the workers.
The Vice-President of SSANU, Abdussobur Salaam, said “They should pay for the four months. If they paid just one month, that’s just 25 per cent of what they owe us.”
Thereafter, activities have been grounded in universities across the country.
However, a breakthrough came on Friday when the Federal Government paid one month’s salary to the striking workers.
In response, the unions, led by SSANU President Mohammed Ibrahim and NASU General Secretary Peters Adeyemi, announced the suspension of the strike on Sunday.
They assured members that the remaining two months of the withheld salaries would be paid in installments following a high-level agreement with the government. University activities are set to resume on Tuesday, November 5, 2024.
“One month by the end of October 2024 (which has largely been done), then the second month to be paid by the end of November 2024.
“Arising from the above and given the level of commitment exhibited by the new minister and the leadership of the Department of State Services, the leadership of JAC, after several contacts and other patriotic considerations, hereby directs that the ongoing indefinite strike be suspended for one-month effective Tuesday, 5th November 2024.
“Branch leaders of both NASU and SSANU are hereby directed to convene a joint congress in their respective campuses on Monday, 4th November 2024 and intimate members of these developments and urge them to resume work on Tuesday, 5th November 2024,” the statement read.
It added that during the industrial struggle, “We have had several extensive and exhaustive deliberations with officials of the Federal Government, including the new Minister of Education, the Minister of Finance, the outgoing Minister of State for Education, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, the Accountant-General of the Federation and the leadership of the Department of State Services.
“The National leadership of the Joint Action Committee of NASU and SSANU acknowledges and commends our members in the universities and inter-university centres for their unwavering resolve, unrelenting determination and steadfast support for the ongoing strike action.”
