The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) have announced an indefinite nationwide strike, demanding the release of their four months’ withheld salaries. The unions claim they have faced discriminatory treatment, as academic staff previously received their withheld pay, while non-academic staff are still awaiting theirs.
In a statement co-signed by SSANU President Mohammed Ibrahim and NASU General Secretary Peters Adeyemi, the unions directed members across public universities to hold a joint congress on Monday, October 28, 2024, and embark on a “comprehensive and total” strike. This decision follows a series of protests, warning strikes, and a three-week ultimatum issued to the government last month.
SSANU and NASU accuse the Federal Government of unfair treatment, recalling that all university unions embarked on an eight-month strike in 2022 to push for better welfare, but the government invoked a “No Work, No Pay” policy. Although President Bola Tinubu approved the release of withheld salaries for the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) members last year, SSANU and NASU allege they were left out.
The indefinite strike will likely lead to the shutdown of administrative operations in public universities, affecting electricity, campus gates, and hostels.
