The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) have began a nationwide strike, citing long-standing issues of unfair salary treatment and payment disparities from the Federal Government.
The unions had previously issued a stern warning, threatening to disrupt hostel services and power supply across universities nationwide if their demands were not met by March 18, 2024.
The National President of SSANU, Muhammed Ibrahim, voiced concerns over the non-payment of 2022 arrears to members, including Vice Chancellors, registrars, and bursars.
Confirming the commencement of the strike, Ibrahim highlighted the collective withdrawal of services by workers in crucial university departments, including registry, bursary, works and maintenance, security, and student affairs.
While the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, claimed ignorance of the impending strike, Ibrahim affirmed its initiation during a televised morning programme.
Speaking during Channels Television’s Morning Show programme, Ibrahim said, “Definitely, it (the strike) has already started. “
As of today (Monday), all our workers in registry, bursary, works and maintenance, security, and students’ affairs have withdrawn their services and nothing moves within the administration of any public university in Nigeria and that will be the case for the next seven days until and unless the needful is done.”
Expressing disappointment at the lack of government outreach, Ibrahim emphasized the unions’ steadfastness until their demands are addressed.
He further criticized the failure of certain government officials to comply with President Bola Tinubu’s directive to settle 2022 arrears promptly.
Despite an earlier seven-day notice issued last Monday, Ibrahim lamented that the Minister of Labour, Nkiruka Onyejeocha, did not reach out with the aggrieved unions.
In a stern warning, Ibrahim hinted at further action should the government ignore the unions’ demands following the conclusion of the ongoing seven-day warning strike.
