The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) have issued a serious warning: if the Federal Government does not pay four months of withheld salaries within three weeks, they will initiate an indefinite strike. This move comes as part of a broader set of demands that also includes improved wages and the implementation of agreements made with the government in 2009.
The unions have been waiting for the payment of their salaries since July 2024. SSANU President Mohammed Ibrahim and NASU General Secretary Prince Peters Adeyemi have stated that the government was given a 10-day grace period, which ended on July 26, 2024, to address the outstanding payments. Despite this deadline passing, no payment has been made, and the unions are growing increasingly frustrated.
In response to the situation, the unions have set a final three-week deadline, starting from September 17, 2024. If the government fails to meet this ultimatum, SSANU and NASU will be forced to embark on an indefinite strike. Such a strike could disrupt academic activities across universities and inter-university centers, affecting both students and staff.
The ongoing issue has roots in a previous dispute between the government and university-based unions. During a prolonged strike in 2022, the Federal Government invoked the ‘No Work, No Pay’ policy, which further complicated the situation. In July 2024, during a meeting about the National Minimum Wage, President Bola Tinubu reportedly approved the payment of the withheld salaries. However, despite this approval, the payments have not been processed.
The unions have voiced their frustration, highlighting that even though the President approved the payments in July, they have yet to receive the funds. The failure to act on this approval has led to the current standoff.
In addition to the payment of the withheld salaries, SSANU and NASU are also demanding:
Better wages for university staff to reflect their contributions and the current economic conditions.
Payment of allowances that have been accrued but not yet disbursed.
Fulfillment of the agreements reached with the government in 2009, which have yet to be fully implemented.
Should the strike go ahead, it could have significant implications for the education sector in Nigeria. Universities and inter-university centers might be closed or operate at reduced capacity, impacting students’ academic progress and the daily operations of these institutions. The disruption could also have a broader impact on the country’s education system, further complicating an already challenging situation.
As the deadline approaches, all eyes will be on the Federal Government to see if they will address the unions’ demands and avoid a potentially damaging strike. The next few weeks will be critical in determining whether a resolution can be reached or if the unions will follow through with their threat of an indefinite strike.
The situation remains fluid, and stakeholders are hopeful for a swift resolution to avoid further disruption in the academic sector.
