On Monday, federal universities nationwide closed due to an indefinite strike called by 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).
The unions announced the shutdown Sunday night, stating it would continue until the Federal Government settles their four months’ withheld salaries.
According to a statement from SSANU’s National President, Mohammed Ibrahim, and NASU’s General Secretary, Peters Adeyemi, the government’s deadline to meet their demands expired at midnight on Sunday. The unions seek not only the withheld salaries but also improved pay, earned allowances, and the fulfillment of agreements made with the government in 2009. The government, through the Ministry of Labour and Employment, had implemented a “No Work, No Pay” policy in 2022 when university-based unions went on a prolonged strike.
In October last year, President Bola Tinubu ordered the release of half of the withheld salaries for academic staff, with payments made in February. However, this directive did not include non-teaching staff, which raised concerns among unions about selective treatment. The Federal Ministry of Education reached out to union leaders on Monday, following the strike’s commencement.
Ibrahim noted that the ministry requested a meeting via a phone call from the Minister of State for Education, who was acting on behalf of the incoming minister. However, due to Ibrahim’s unavailability, the meeting could not proceed.
On Monday, compliance was noted across universities, including the University of Lagos, which was on holiday but had SSANU and NASU members observing the strike. At Obafemi Awolowo University, the SSANU branch chairman, K.T. Fashola, reported about 55 percent compliance due to pre-planned activities. Similarly, the Federal University of Technology, Akure, saw adherence to the strike, with members instructed to stay home.
In Benin, union representatives at a joint congress implemented monitoring to ensure compliance, affecting key university services. At the Federal University Lokoja, a deserted campus reflected the impact of the strike. SSANU chairman Adedeji Suara voiced frustration over the government’s delay in releasing funds, despite a presidential directive.
Meanwhile, SSANU and NASU at the University of Ilorin scheduled a congress to assess the situation further. The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) President, Lucky Emonefe, voiced opposition to the strike, highlighting its adverse effects on students’ academic timelines. He urged the unions to consider students’ interests and called on the government to address their grievances through dialogue rather than strikes.
Emonefe emphasized that students bear the consequences of these disruptions and encouraged both the government and labor unions to seek a resolution that minimizes impact on students’ education.
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