SSANU, NASU to Begin Indefinite Strike From Monday

The Joint Action Committee, comprising the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), is set to begin an indefinite strike starting Sunday night. This announcement was released by PUNCH Online on Sunday in a statement endorsed by SSANU’s National President, Mohammed Ibrahim, and NASU’s General Secretary, Prince Peters Adeyemi. The unions had previously given the Federal Government a deadline, set to end Sunday midnight, to address outstanding salary payments.

Among their primary demands are the payment of withheld salaries from a four-month period, enhanced compensation, earned allowances, and the fulfillment of agreements made in 2009. The Ministry of Labour and Employment, in 2022, invoked a ‘No Work, No Pay’ directive after a prolonged strike by the country’s four main university unions.

According to the statement, “Our last circular from the Joint Action Committee of NASU and SSANU, titled ‘Latest Development in Respect of the Withheld Four Months’ Salaries,’ dated October 21, 2024, referenced JAC/NS/VOL.III/32, called on the Federal Government to meet our demands for owed salaries and to implement the MoU signed on August 20, 2022, which expires at midnight on October 27, 2024. During our recent National Peaceful Protest held on July 18, 2024, at Unity Fountain in Abuja, we issued a 10-day ultimatum for payment to avoid disrupting university and inter-university center activities, yet this ultimatum was ignored.”

“It is unfortunate that despite multiple ultimatums, the government has yet to respond favorably to our justified demands, despite numerous discussions, dialogues, and assurances of resolution.”

“Given the extended patience we have shown, allowing multiple deadlines to pass, we have yet to see a satisfying outcome from the government on our concerns. Consequently, we direct all members within the nation’s universities and inter-university centers to convene a joint congress on Monday, October 28, 2024, and initiate a total, indefinite strike, with no compromises allowed.”

“State universities are also encouraged to incorporate their own demands into this action as necessary. We urge strict compliance with this directive from all NASU and SSANU branches in both federal and state universities as well as inter-university centers.”