The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) have issued a stern warning of a potential strike action. The cause? The withholding of salaries for a duration of four months for their members.
In an official letter jointly issued by the unions under the banner of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) on Friday, it was made clear that if the Federal Government fails to release the withheld salaries within the span of seven days, industrial action will be initiated.
The letter, bearing the signatures of SSANU President Muhammed Ibrahim and NASU General Secretary Peters Adeyemi, highlighted the distressing situation faced by their members due to the prolonged withholding of salaries.
This issue traces back to the previous administration under former President Muhammadu Buhari, who withheld the salaries of university staff members following a strike in 2022. Although there was a glimmer of hope when President Bola Tinubu ordered a partial release of four months’ pay in October 2023, it appears that this measure did not extend to non-academic staff.
Expressing their dissatisfaction, the unions pointed out the disparity in treatment, citing the release of four months’ withheld salaries to members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities while neglecting their non-academic counterparts.
The unions stressed the urgent need for parity, stating, “While we appreciate the federal government for paying our academic counterpart, we also deem it necessary that our members are also paid.” They further warned that the prevailing discontent among their members within the universities and inter-university centres threatens the stability of the education sector.
In light of these grievances, SSANU and NASU have implored the Federal Government to take corrective action within the stipulated seven-day period to avert a potential crisis.
