…Set to protest in various branches on July 9
By Sodiq Adelakun
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) have directed their members to embark on a one-day protest on Tuesday and a national protest on July 18 in Abuja, followed by a full-blown strike.
This directive comes after a meeting with the Federal Government through the Ministry of Education ended in deadlock.
The unions are demanding the payment of four months’ withheld salaries, which President Bola Tinubu had approved for the four university unions.
According to a circular issued by the General Secretary of NASU, Prince Peters Adeyemi, and President of SSANU, Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, the government has not shown any convincing commitment to paying the withheld salaries.
The circular read: “The National body of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of NASU and SSANU met on Thursday, 4th July, 2024 to appraise and take position on the current situation in respect of the withheld (4) four months’ salaries and other grievances of our members in University and Inter-University Centres.”
“It is also disheartening that the JAC was also at the Federal Ministry of Labour & Employment and as usual, the Honourable Minister of State was not on seat to receive us, as we were informed that she had an urgent call from the villa.
“In view of this disappointment and failure of Government to address grievances of NASU and SSANU, JAC has decided on a series of Industrial actions…”
The unions have directed all branches to hold a general meeting on Monday to sensitise members and mobilise them for the protests and strike.
“Unfortunately, the engagement with the Minister of Education has not shown any convincing commitment on the payment of the withheld salaries and resolutions of other pending grievances of JAC of the two unions.
“It is also disheartening that the JAC was also at the Federal Ministry of Labour & Employment and as usual, the Honourable Minister of State was not on seat to receive us, as we were informed that she had an urgent call from the villa.
“The Permanent Secretary who stood in for her could not make any commitment on the issues raised.
“In view of this disappointment and failure of Government to address grievances of NASU and SSANU, JAC has decided on a series of Industrial actions which include the following;
“All branches of NASU and SSANU should mandatorily hold a general meeting on Monday, 8th July, 2024 to sensitise members on the insensitivity of the Government to our plights.
“A ONE DAY protest should hold on Tuesday, 9th July,2024 at each branch simultaneously. Every branch should ensure that all members fully participate in the protest and the Press/ media is adequately mobilised.
“A NATIONAL PROTEST which will hold in Abuja on Thursday, 18th July, 2024 after which JAC will meet to announce a date when the strike action will commence. “Further information will be communicated appropriately,” the circular read.