The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universitie, SSANU, and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, NASU, have directed their members to initiate a seven-day warning strike starting from Monday, March 18.
The Joint Action Committee, JAC, of both NASU and SSANU issued a directive for a complete blackout in all universities, affecting water treatment plants and clinics. Those involved in proposed matriculations are instructed to refrain from activities. This action follows President Bola Tinubu’s directive to pay university workers who were on prolonged strike in 2022, with salaries withheld under the “No work, no pay” policy by the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, members have received their withheld salaries, while non-teaching staff comprising SSANU, NASU, and the National Association of Academic Technologists, NAAT, are yet to receive any payment. Expressing dismay at this preferential treatment, SSANU and NASU through JAC issued an ultimatum to the government, which expired without action.
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The unions subsequently gave a seven-day warning strike notice to commence on March 18 if their demands were not met. In a statement on Friday, March 15, JAC directed the warning strike to commence on the same day, citing the government’s failure to respond to their demands.
The statement highlighted that despite numerous notices to relevant government officials, there have been no positive results regarding the payment of withheld salaries. Titled “Commencement of a 7-day warning strike,” it emphasized the Joint Action Committee’s (JAC) efforts to address the issue, including contacting government officials such as Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila and Prof. Tahir Mamman. The statement reiterated the demand for the resolution of the salary payment issue before it escalates further.
The press release issued on March 1, 2024, gave the federal government a seven-day ultimatum to address the payment of withheld salaries, but no action was taken. Consequently, NASU and SSANU directed their members in universities and inter-university centers nationwide to commence a seven-day warning strike from Monday, March 18, 2024. The strike is expected to be comprehensive and total, with no concessions given. Strict compliance with this directive is mandatory for all NASU and SSANU branches.
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