SSANU, NASU Begin Seven-Day Warning Strike, Shut Down Universities

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) have embarked on a nationwide strike over alleged unfair treatment and discrepancies in salary payments by the Federal Government.

The unions had previously threatened to disrupt hostel operations and power supply in universities nationwide over the government’s failure to address their demands by today, March 18, 2024.

Muhammed Ibrahim, the National President of SSANU, explained that members, including Vice Chancellors, registrars, and bursars, have yet to receive their 2022 arrears.

Confirming the commencement of the strike, Ibrahim emphasized the withdrawal of services by workers in various university departments, such as registry, bursary, works and maintenance, security, and student affairs.

While Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, claimed unawareness of the impending strike, Ibrahim affirmed the strike’s initiation during the Channels Television’s Morning Show programme.

“Definitely, it (the strike) has already started. “As of today (Monday), all our workers in registry, bursary, works and maintenance, security, and students’ affairs have withdrawn their services and nothing moves within the administration of any public university in Nigeria and that will be the case for the next seven days until and unless the needful is done,” he stated.

He expressed disappointment over the lack of government outreach to the non-academic unions, stressing the unions’ resolve until their demands are met.

Ibrahim further criticized the non-compliance of some government officials with President Bola Tinubu’s directive to settle 2022 arrears.

He added that the Minister of Labour , Nkiruka Onyejeocha, has not reached out to the aggrieved unions despite issuing a seven-day notice last Monday.

He warned of further action should the government disregard the unions’ demands following the conclusion of the seven-day warning strike.

Meanwhile, the National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS) had urged the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to reconsider its planned strike against the President Bola Tinubu-led government.