The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) have threatened to commence an indefinite strike on October 6.
The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of both unions had earlier given the Federal government a 14-day extended strike ultimatum. The leaders emphasised that the strike comes after the end of their two-week extension of the ultimatum over the abandonment of the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement.
SSANU maintained that the agreements reached with the Federal government through structured dialogue and mutual consent are binding and must be honoured in full, warning that if the pattern of neglect continues, the union will have no choice but to explore all lawful and appropriate avenues to compel compliance.
This, among others, was contained in the communiqué at the end of its 52nd National Executive Council (NEC), meeting held at the Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Owerri, Imo State.
In the communique signed by Mohammed Ibrahim, president of SSANU, the union frowned at the inequitable and negligible allocation of the N50 billion Earned Allowance, wherein only 20 percent which amounts to N10 billion was allotted to the three non-teaching unions; SSANU, the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, NASU and the National Association of Academic Technologists, NAAT as against the N50 billion agreed in the signed MoU/MoA before the suspension of the 2022 industrial action.
“This allocation is unjust, discriminatory, and fails to acknowledge the indispensable role SSANU members play in the effective functioning of Nigerian Universities.
“It is also in breach of the MoU/MoA signed with the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of NASU and SSANU in August 2022,” the statement reads.
cite the Federal Government’s prolonged failure to implement key provisions of the 2009 agreement as the catalyst for the planned industrial action, raising fresh concerns over potential disruptions to academic and administrative activities in universities across the country.
SSANU expressed deep concern over what it described as the federal government’s persistent disregard for Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), Memoranda of Action (MoAs) and other duly negotiated collective bargaining agreements entered into by the two parties.
The association called for an immediate release of the balance of N40 billion Earned Allowance to reflect principles of fairness, equity, and inclusiveness across all non-teaching staff unions of universities and Inter-University Centres in line with the Memorandum of Understanding and Memorandum of Action signed with the unions.
“After extensive deliberations on national issues and the welfare of its members, the NEC expresses deep disappointment over the continued silence and inaction of the federal government’s renegotiation committee regarding the 2009 FG/SSANU agreement.
“NEC strongly calls on the government to honour the two-week extension given by JAC of SSANU/NASU to avert the impending industrial crisis in the university system
“NEC also notes that third-party deductions from the already paid two months of withheld salaries have yet to be remitted and therefore calls for the immediate release of these funds,” the union stated.
Besides, both unions expressed deep concern over the deteriorating condition of critical sectors, noting with dismay that healthcare has remained underfunded, with outdated infrastructure and recurring epidemics such as the recent cholera outbreak in Zamfara State and other parts of the country.
“Widespread insecurity, including kidnappings, banditry, and communal clashes, continues to disrupt daily life, displace families, and cripple economic activity.
“Agriculture and food security are under severe threat, with an estimated 33.1 million Nigerians facing acute food shortages due to conflict, climate shocks, and economic instability,” the statement reads.
Furthermore, the NEC speaking on the state of education in Nigeria, said, “Nigeria’s education sector, from primary to tertiary levels, suffers from inadequate funding and outdated facilities.”
The council calls for modernisation of learning environments, stronger support for technical and vocational training, and equitable development of both teaching and non-teaching staff through fair remuneration and continuous professional development.
- Media Report