The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU) have issued a stern warning to the Federal Government, threatening an indefinite strike if their demands are not met within three weeks.
This ultimatum, which began on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, follows the expiration of a previous 10-day grace period on July 26, 2024, during which the government failed to pay four months' worth of withheld salaries.
In a joint statement signed by SSANU President Mohammed Ibrahim and NASU General Secretary Prince Peters Adeyemi, the unions expressed their frustration over the government's inaction despite an initial six-week ultimatum issued in July.
The unions are demanding the payment of the withheld salaries, improved remuneration, earned allowances, and the implementation of the 2009 agreement with the federal government.
The unions have accused the government of neglect and insensitivity, highlighting that the failure to address these issues has compelled them to consider shutting down universities and inter-university centers. They emphasized that the withheld salaries were part of a collective bargaining agreement signed in 2022, which included a non-victimization clause.
However, while their counterparts in the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have received their outstanding salaries, SSANU and NASU members have been left out.
The unions have also pointed out that the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement, which should occur every three years, is long overdue. As a result, they have put all their members on notice for a potential indefinite strike if the government fails to meet their demands by the end of the three-week ultimatum.
The potential strike could have severe implications for the Nigerian education system, as it would lead to the shutdown of essential services provided by SSANU and NASU members, including security, health services, water, electricity, and administrative functions such as processing transcripts and certificates.
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