NASU, SSANU issue two weeks ultimatum to FG over unpaid salaries
…Threaten strike, says FG not sincere
By Sodiq Adelakun
The Non-academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU) and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) have issued a two-week ultimatum to the Federal Government to settle outstanding salaries withheld since May 2022.
The unions, representing university staff, have threatened to embark on a strike action if their demands are not met.
In a letter to the Education Minister, Professor Tahir Mamman, the unions expressed their frustration over the government’s silence and inaction despite previous warnings and appeals.
The strike action, set to commence if the ultimatum expires, will significantly disrupt university activities across the country.
The unions’ leadership, comprising SSANU President Mohammed Ibrahim and Secretary-General Peters Adeyemi, emphasised the need for immediate payment of the arrears, totaling four months’ salaries.
The government’s response will determine the fate of university operations nationwide.
The letter read in part, “The Honourable Minister would recall that the Joint Action Committee of NASU and SSANU embarked on a one week warning strike between March 18th, 2024 and March 24th 2024 to protest the denial of the arrears of four (4) months salaries withheld between May and August 24th, 2022.
“Following a series of letters and the assurances of the payment, we write to remind the Honourable Minister of our various letters, engagements, assurances towards the payment of the four (4) months withheld salaries of SSANU and NASU.
“We wish to express our regrets and dismay that uptill date, the withheld salaries have not been paid to our members.
“We view it as an act of insincerity and neglect on the part of the Government to the yearnings and aspirations of our members.
“This also negates the spirit of collective bargaining and builds distrust.
“The deafening silence of the Government and failure to pay the withheld salaries is creating a high level of agitations and contentions among our members in the Universities and Inter- University Centres such that we can no longer guarantee industrial peace and harmony on University campuses.
“We therefore demand the immediate payment of the four (4) months withheld salaries to our members not later than two (2) weeks from the date of this correspondence; failing which we will be left with no option than to shut down the Universities and Inter-University Centres,” it read.
