The Joint Action Committee of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) has announced plans to begin an indefinite strike if their outstanding salaries are not paid within the next three weeks.
Among their key demands are the payment of four months of withheld salaries, improved wages, earned allowances, and the full implementation of the 2009 agreements made with the government. The unions’ grievances stem from the Federal Government’s decision, via the Ministry of Labour and Employment, to enforce the ‘No Work, No Pay’ policy during the prolonged strike by university-based unions in 2022.
In a statement co-signed by SSANU President Mohammed Ibrahim and NASU General Secretary Prince Peters Adeyemi, the unions reminded the government of the 10-day grace period granted, which expired on July 26, 2024. During this period, the unions demanded the payment of the outstanding salaries, warning of a potential shutdown of universities and inter-university centers if the issue was not addressed.
Six weeks after the expiration of the grace period, the Federal Government has yet to meet these demands, prompting the unions to intensify their threat of an indefinite strike.
“It is in light of the above that we inform the government of the decision of the National JAC of NASU and SSANU, at the meeting held on 12th September 2024, that the government is given a final three-week ultimatum from Tuesday, 17th September 2024, to pay the four months’ withheld salaries and implement the agreement reached on 20th August 2022. Failing this, our members may be forced to embark on indefinite strike action at the expiration of the ultimatum,” Ibrahim said.
The statement added that, during the National Minimum Wage meeting, President Bola Tinubu had approved the payment of the four months’ withheld salaries on 18th July 2024, following discussions with the leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress.
“We have it on good authority that Mr President approved the payment of the four months’ withheld salaries as far back as 18th July 2024 at the National Minimum Wage meeting with the NLC and TUC leadership.”
“Recently, we also heard that Mr President has approved the actual release of the payment. Regrettably, despite these approvals, nothing has been forthcoming,” the statement added.
