SSANU, NASU issue three-week ultimatum to FG, threaten indefinite strike over outstanding salaries
…Say despite approvals, nothing has been forthcoming
By Sodiq Adelakun
The Joint Action Committee of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) has issued a three-week ultimatum to the Federal Government to settle outstanding salaries.
The Unions have threatened to embark on an indefinite strike if their demands are not met.
In a joint statement signed by SSANU President, Mr. Mohammed Ibrahim and NASU General Secretary, Prince Peters Adeyemi, the unions outlined their demands, which include the payment of four months’ withheld salaries, improved remuneration, and adherence to the 2009 agreements with the government.
The unions had previously given the Federal Government a ten-day grace period, which ended on July 26, 2024, for the settlement of the salaries. However, six weeks later, no payment has been made.
Ibrahim stated, “It is in light of the above that we inform the government of the decision of the National JAC of NASU and SSANU, at the meeting held on September 12, 2024, that the government is given a final three-week ultimatum from September 17, 2024, to pay the four months’ withheld salaries.”
The statement highlighted that President Bola Tinubu had approved the payment during a National Minimum Wage meeting on July 18, 2024, yet the funds have not been disbursed. “Regrettably, despite these approvals, nothing has been forthcoming,” the unions noted.
If the government fails to act by the ultimatum’s expiration, the unions plan to shut down universities and inter-university centres, causing significant disruption to academic activities.
This escalation follows previous threats from the unions regarding the non-release of funds and the government’s ‘No Work, No Pay’ policy enacted during the 2022 strike. The stakes are high as the unions prepare to take decisive action if their demands are not met in the stipulated time frame.
However, six weeks after the grace period elapsed, the government has yet to fulfil this obligation.
“It is in light of the above that we inform the government of the decision of the National JAC of NASU and SSANU, at the meeting held on 12th September 2024, that the government is given a final three-week ultimatum from Tuesday, 17th September 2024, to pay the four months’ withheld salaries and implement the agreement reached on 20th August 2022. Failing this, our members may be forced to embark on indefinite strike action at the expiration of the ultimatum,” Ibrahim said.
The statement added that, during the National Minimum Wage meeting, President Bola Tinubu had approved the payment of the four months’ withheld salaries on 18th July 2024, following discussions with the leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress.
Despite approvals, nothing has been forthcoming
“We have it on good authority that Mr. President approved the payment of the four months’ withheld salaries as far back as 18th July 2024 at the National Minimum Wage meeting with the NLC and TUC leadership.
“Recently, we also heard that Mr. President has approved the actual release of the payment. Regrettably, despite these approvals, nothing has been forthcoming,” the statement added.
