By Gabriella Ogbu
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU) have commenced a nationwide strike today over unpaid salary arrears for their members. This action is anticipated to disrupt the already fragile industrial peace within Nigeria’s public universities.
On June 20, 2024, the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of SSANU and NASU sent a letter to Prof. Tahir Mamman, the Minister of Education, warning that their members would begin a work boycott in two weeks if their demands were not met. The unions accused the government of being indifferent and dishonest in a letter co-signed by Mohammed Ibrahim, President of SSANU, and Prince Peter Adeyemi, the General Secretary of NASU.
“The federal government has continued to dribble us, even after the mutual agreement to suspend the one-week warning strike in March this year,” the letter stated, expressing frustration that the ministers of education and labor had promised to pay the arrears but failed to do so. This unresolved issue has now escalated into a full-blown strike, reflecting the deep-seated grievances of the non-academic staff in the higher education sector.
The timing of this strike is particularly significant as it coincides with ongoing tensions between the government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). Just a week ago, ASUU held high-level talks with Education Minister Prof. Tahir Mamman and is now preparing all its branches nationwide for a potential walkout. The convergence of these strikes by SSANU, NASU, and potentially ASUU could lead to a severe crisis in the nation’s university system.
The unions have accused the government of reneging on agreements and ignoring their legitimate demands, which include the payment of earned allowances, better working conditions, and the fulfillment of previous promises made during negotiations. The strike by SSANU and NASU is seen as a last resort after numerous failed attempts to resolve these issues through dialogue.
In their letter, the union leaders highlighted the growing frustration among their members, who feel marginalized and undervalued despite their critical roles in the university system. “Our patience has been stretched to the limit. We have no choice but to take this action to press for our rights,” said Mohammed Ibrahim.
The strike is expected to have a significant impact on university operations, including administrative functions, maintenance, and other essential services provided by non-academic staff. The disruption could delay academic activities, examinations, and the overall academic calendar, further compounding the challenges faced by students and faculty members.
In response to the strike, the federal government has called for an urgent meeting with the union leaders in a bid to avert a prolonged shutdown of the universities. However, the unions have made it clear that they will not back down until their demands are fully addressed.
