NASU, SSANU suspend strike, give conditions
…Set to resume work as FG pledges to pay withheld salaries
By Sodiq Adelakun
The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) have announced the suspension of their nationwide indefinite strike, which was prompted by withheld salaries.
The suspension will take effect on Tuesday, November 5, 2024.
In a joint statement signed by NASU General Secretary Prince Peters Adeyemi and SSANU National President Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, the unions expressed that the decision follows a series of negotiations with the federal government that began after the strike commenced on October 28, 2024.
The unions had previously taken industrial action in response to what they termed the “government’s insensitivity” regarding their demands for unpaid salaries. They emphasised that the strike was necessary to draw attention to their plight and ensure fair treatment for their members across the nation.
The statement outlined the progress made during negotiations, stating, “The National leadership of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of NASU and SSANU acknowledges and commends our members for their unwavering resolve and support for the ongoing strike action.”
They highlighted that extensive discussions were held with various federal officials, including the new Minister of Education and the Minister of Finance, which led to an agreement for staggered payments of the withheld salaries.
“An irrevocable commitment from the Federal Government has been extracted, ensuring that the two months of the four months of withheld salaries would be paid,” they noted, with one month already processed by the end of October 2024 and the second month due by the end of November 2024.
Given the government’s commitments and the leadership shown by federal officials, the unions decided to suspend the strike for one month, effective November 5. They directed branch leaders to convene a joint congress on November 4 to inform members and encourage a return to work.
The unions also reiterated their ongoing discussions regarding the remaining salary months, the N50 billion Earned Allowances, and other wage-related issues, stating, “We wish to also reiterate that discussions on these matters are ongoing.”
The statement reads, “The National leadership of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of NASU and SSANU acknowledges and commends our members in the Universities and Inter-University Centres for their unwavering resolve, unrelenting determination and steadfast support for the ongoing strike action.
“You will recall that the ongoing strike action foisted on us commenced on the Monday, 28th October, 2024 as a result of Government’s insensitivity to the plights of our members in respect of our legitimate demands
“During this industrial struggle, we have had several extensive and exhaustive deliberations with the officials of the Federal Government of Nigeria including the new Minister of Education, the Minister of Finance, the outgoing Minister of State for Education, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, the Accountant-General of the Federation and the leadership of the Department of State Services
“These high-level engagements culminated into extracting an irrevocable commitment from the Federal Government that the 2 months of the 4 months withheld salaries would be paid in staggered form. One month by the end of October, 2024 (which has largely been done), then the second month to be paid by the end of November, 2024.
“Arising from the above and in view of the level of commitment exhibited by the new minister and the leadership of the Department of State Services, the leadership of JAC, after several contacts and other patriotic considerations, hereby directs that the ongoing indefinite strike be suspended for one- month effective Tuesday, 5th November, 2024.
“Branch leaders of both NASU and SSANU are hereby directed to convene a joint Congress in their respective campuses on Monday, 4th November, 2024 and intimate members of these development and urge them to resume work on Tuesday, 5th November, 2024.
“We wish to also reiterate that discussions on the remaining 2 months, the N50 billion Earned Allowances, Arrears of 25/35 per cent and the Wage Award have been revisited and are undergoing deliberations.
“Thank you for your usual understanding and cooperation in this regard; we appreciate your total commitment and resoluteness during this struggle.”
