The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) of Educational and Associated Institutions (EAI) have vowed to continue their indefinite strike until their demands are met.
The strike, which began on Monday, was called over the non-payment of four months’ salary arrears.
The SSANU President, Mohammed Ibrahim, during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, said: “The issue is not about meetings; it’s about payment. They can simply direct for this payment, and I assure you, in less than 24 hours, we can refer back to our principals and this strike will be suspended.”
Ibrahim expressed skepticism about government’s assurances, saying: “Assurances from politicians and government officials are not new things to us. But the mandate we have from our members is that this strike is totally indefinite, and we will only resume when we get the alerts.”
The strike has crippled activities across public universities in Nigeria, with classes and facilities shut. This is not the first time the unions have embarked on industrial action. In March, they embarked on a seven-day warning strike over non-payment of salaries.
President Bola Tinubu had directed the payment of withheld salaries for university workers following their 2022 strike. However, SSANU and NASU accuse the Federal government of unfulfilled promises and disdainful treatment.
“Well, assurances are not something that we have not received before,” Ibrahim noted.
The Senate has labeled the strike unnecessary, and called for dialogue. Chairman of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions, Dandutse Mohammed, said:
“A peaceful resolution would be a more responsible approach to avoid further hardship and academic disruptions.”
Mohammed urged the unions to reconsider their stance, saying: “Dialogue is key in resolving these issues.”
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, stated: “We are willing to engage in dialogue to resolve outstanding issues.”
The government has invited labour unions for talks over strike threats.
Unions’ demands
SSANU and NASU demand as follows:
1. Payment of four months’ salary arrears;
2. Fulfillment of previous agreements; and
3. Improved welfare packages
The strike continues, with no clear resolution in sight. Ibrahim reiterated: “We will only resume when we receive credit alerts.”