Non-Teaching Staff Shut University Offices and Gates as Strike Begins
The Joint Action Committee of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities has declared an indefinite strike, effective today, shutting down all university activities across the country.
A statement issued on Sunday by SSANU’s National President, Mohammed Ibrahim, and NASU’s General Secretary, Prince Peters Adeyemi, highlighted that the ultimatum given to the Federal Government regarding withheld salaries expired at midnight on Sunday.
The unions are demanding the payment of four months’ withheld salaries, improved remuneration, earned allowances, and the implementation of the 2009 agreements with the government. Previously, the Federal Government had invoked a ‘No Work, No Pay’ policy during the prolonged strike by four university-based unions in 2022.
Last October, President Bola Tinubu instructed the payment of four of the eight months’ withheld salaries for academic staff, which was finally disbursed in February. However, this directive did not extend to non-teaching staff, leading to concerns about their situation. The unions criticized the directive as selective and have engaged in protests and warning strikes without resolution, with four months’ salaries still unpaid.
The statement also urged state-owned universities to incorporate their local demands into the strike as appropriate, emphasizing that compliance with this directive is mandatory for all NASU and SSANU branches in Federal and State Owned Universities, as well as Inter-University Centres.
It referenced a previous circular, which gave the Federal Government seven days to address the demands regarding outstanding salaries and the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding signed on 20th August 2022. This ultimatum expired at midnight on Sunday, 27th October 2024.
During a peaceful protest on July 18, 2024, the unions had issued a 10-day ultimatum to the government to pay the withheld salaries to avoid shutting down university activities. The unions expressed disappointment that multiple ultimatums have yielded no positive results from the government despite ongoing dialogues and assurances.
The statement called for a joint congress on Monday, 28th October 2024, to initiate a comprehensive and total strike, warning that no concessions will be tolerated.
SSANU members oversee crucial campus operations, including water supply, electricity, communication, internet services, and security. SSANU President Ibrahim stated that if their demands are met promptly, the strike could be called off.
The strike coincides with President Tinubu’s directive for outgoing Minister of Education, Prof. Mamman Tahir, to hand over to incoming Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa on Wednesday.
Attempts to reach the Federal Ministry of Education for comment on the unions’ industrial action were unsuccessful. Earlier in the year, the unions staged a one-week warning strike due to a lack of response to their letters. In July, they organized a nationwide protest to draw attention to their plight.
Following a meeting in July, the education ministry spokesperson, Folashade Boriowo, indicated that the withheld salaries were being addressed at the highest levels of government. However, a seven-day ultimatum issued earlier this month also failed to produce results.
The unions reiterated their frustration over the lack of government responsiveness, stating that despite multiple interactions and assurances, their rightful demands have not been met. They noted that President Tinubu had approved the payment of the four months’ withheld salaries, yet the implementation has not been seen.
Both unions emphasized their determination to continue the strike until their demands are fulfilled.
