-Deborah Akinyosoye
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has reaffirmed its commitment to continue the indefinite strike in collaboration with the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), stating that there will be no return to work until the government addresses their demands for outstanding salary arrears.
The unions’ industrial action, which began on Monday, has effectively paralyzed activities across Nigeria’s public universities, with classrooms, libraries, and other facilities remaining shut.
SSANU president, Mohammed Ibrahim, clarified the union’s stance during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, underscoring that only immediate payment of their outstanding four months’ salary arrears would end the strike.
“It’s not an issue of meetings. We want payment,” Ibrahim said, highlighting that all procedural requirements for the payment have been met.
“A directive for this payment can be issued, and within 24 hours, we could consult with our principals and suspend the strike.”
SSANU and NASU previously embarked on a seven-day warning strike on March 18, 2024, after repeated pleas for payment were unheeded.
The union’s recent action follows unfulfilled assurances from government officials, which Ibrahim stressed had eroded the unions’ confidence in verbal commitments.
“Assurances from politicians and government officials are not new to us,” he added.
“Our members have given us a clear mandate: the strike is indefinite, and we will resume only when we receive our payment alerts.”
The nationwide strike has stalled academic activities across public universities, creating disruptions in tertiary education and sparking concern among stakeholders.
The ongoing deadlock echoes a similar scenario from 2022, when SSANU and NASU embarked on an eight-month strike to advocate for improved welfare and benefits.
The previous administration, under former President Muhammadu Buhari, enforced a “No Work, No Pay” policy during the strike, a stance that led to withholding of salaries for that period.
In response to the workers’ plight, President Bola Tinubu last October approved the release of four out of the eight months’ withheld salaries to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
However, SSANU and NASU argue that the government has consistently failed to honor agreements, forcing them to issue a three-week ultimatum earlier this year, which expired without resolution.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Senate has voiced concern over the unions’ action. Senator Dandutse Mohammed, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions, described the strike as unnecessary and called for constructive dialogue.
He urged both the unions and the Federal Government to seek a peaceful resolution to avoid further disruptions and hardships for students and staff alike, emphasizing that a diplomatic approach would better serve the nation’s educational system.