University Staff Unions Set for Indefinite Strike as Government Fails to Meet Salary Demands

The Joint Action Committee of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) is set to embark on an indefinite strike starting Monday. This follows the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Government to address outstanding salary payments withheld during the 2022 strike. The ultimatum, which ends at midnight on Sunday, stems from the government’s failure to fulfill its promises regarding the withheld four months of salaries and the implementation of a previously signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

SSANU’s National President, Mohammed Ibrahim, and NASU’s General Secretary, Prince Peters Adeyemi, expressed disappointment at the government’s inaction despite numerous engagements, deadlines, and assurances. They stated that the unions had already extended a 10-day grace period in July, which passed without any resolution, forcing them to take further action. The unions emphasized that the strike was a necessary step after exhausting all diplomatic means to resolve the issue.

The unions have directed their members across universities and inter-university centers nationwide to hold a joint congress on Monday before proceeding with the indefinite strike. State-owned universities have also been encouraged to incorporate their local demands into the action. The strike is expected to have significant implications on Nigeria’s education sector, with no clear indication of how long it will last or when the demands will be met.