The Joint Action Committee of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has announced an indefinite strike starting today, bringing all university activities to a halt.
In a statement released on Sunday and signed by SSANU’s National President, Mohammed Ibrahim, and NASU’s General Secretary, Prince Peters Adeyemi, the unions emphasized that the ultimatum they issued to the Federal Government regarding withheld salaries expired at midnight.
Their demands include the payment of four months’ withheld salaries, improved remuneration, earned allowances, and the implementation of agreements made with the government in 2009.
The Federal Government had previously activated a ‘No Work, No Pay’ policy in response to a prolonged strike by four university-based unions in 2022.
The statement also urged state-owned universities to incorporate local demands into the strike as necessary.
The statement reads, “Your strict compliance and adherence to this directive is mandatory for all NASU and SSANU branches in Federal and State Owned Universities as well as Inter-University Centres.
“The last circular of the Joint Action Committee of Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities titled.
“Latest Development in Respect of the Withheld Four Months’ Salaries” referenced JAC/NS/VOL.III/32 dated 21st October 2024 refers.
“The circular under reference gave seven days to the Federal Government to do the needful in respect of our demands for payment of outstanding four months’ salaries and implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) sighed with the Federal Government on 20th August, 2022 which expires midnight of Sunday, 27th October, 2024.
“It is quite appalling that we have issued several ultimatums thereafter with no positive result from the government, it is therefore obvious that Government is not positively disposed to our rightful and legitimate demands in spite of several interactions, dialogues, exchange of correspondences and assurances of payment all to no avail.
“We have exercised considerable and prolonged patience, allowing multiple deadlines to pass without receiving a satisfactory response to our demands by the Government.
“This is to direct all our members in the Universities and Inter-University Centres throughout the country to hold a joint congress in their respective campuses on Monday, 28th October, 2024 and proceed on an indefinite, comprehensive, and total strike action as no concession should be given in any guise.”
