National Telescope national telescope newspaper
Breaking: NASU, SSANU begins indefinite strike over withheld salaries
Olumide Olusegun
The Joint Action Committee of non-teaching staff unions in Nigerian universities, including the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, has announced an indefinite strike starting from midnight on October 27, 2024.
This action follows the failure of the Federal Government to pay four months’ salaries owed to their members.
JAC stated this in a circular titled, “Latest Development in Respect of the Withheld Four (4) Months’
Salaries’ referenced JACINSNOL.I/32, and signed by NASU General Secretary, Peters Adeyemi and SSANU President Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim.
The unions expressed disappointment over the government’s inaction despite President Bola Tinubu’s approval to pay 50 per cent of the withheld salaries.
They expressed concerns regarding the Minister of Finance’s lack of progress in addressing the issue.
JAC added, “It is quite appalling that we have issued several ultimatums thereafter with no positive result from the Government; it is, therefore obvious that the Government is not positively disposed to our rightful and legitimate demands despite several interactions, dialogues, exchange of correspondences and assurances of payment all to no avail.
“We have exercised considerable and prolonged patience, allowing multiple deadlines to pass without receiving a satisfactory response to our demands by the Government.
It stated further, “In view of this, this is to direct all our members in the Universities and Inter-University Centres throughout the country to hold a joint congress in their respective campuses on Monday, 28h October 2024 and proceed on an indefinite, comprehensive and total strike action as no concession should be
given in any guise.
“All the State Owned Universities can also incorporate their local demands into this strike action as appropriate.”
The unions expressed gratitude for the continued support of their members and reiterated their commitment to the struggle until their demands are met.”
