…No Govt Rep has reached out to the non-academic unions — SSANU President
…FUD issues one week ultimatum for payment, threatens prolonged strike
…NLC stands in solidarity with joint union, presses for timely salary settlements
Our Correspondents
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) has yesterday begun a nationwide strike in protest against what they perceive as unfair treatment and discrepancies in salary payments by the Federal Government.
SSANU President, Mohammed Ibrahim, confirmed the commencement of the strike during an appearance on television broadcast on Monday.
Ibrahim stated unequivocally, “Without a doubt, the strike has already commenced.” He highlighted that as of Monday, employees across vital university departments such as registry, bursary, works and maintenance, security, and students’ affairs had halted their duties, resulting in a complete standstill within the administration of all public universities in Nigeria. He further asserted that this cessation would persist for the next seven days unless the necessary actions were taken.
The strike, which has significantly impacted various essential university services, stands as a forceful response to perceived injustices in salary payments by the government.
He lamented that no government representative has reached out to the non-academic unions and though some have reached out unofficially, their assurances cannot be taken to the bank.
Ibrahim sensed some “saboteurs in his government” and wondered why President Bola Tinubu would give an instruction that members of varsity unions be paid 2022 arrears and some government officials won’t fully comply.
The SSANU President said the Labour Minister Nkiruka Onyejeocha has not reached out to the aggrieved unions despite that a seven-day notice was issued last Monday, a development he said was a departufrom to the responsiveness of the ex-Labour Minister Chris Ngige.
Ibrahim said should the government fail to heed the demands of the unions after the seven-day warning strike which commenced yesterday, SSANU and NASU would go back to their toolbox and decide the next line of action.
…VCs, registrars, bursars not paid
Last Monday, March 11, 2024, SSANU and NASU threatened to shut down hostels and power supply in universities across the country if the Federal Government fails to meet its demands before today, March 18, 2024.
The SSANU President had said his members including Vice Chancellors, registrars and bursars have not been paid 2022 arrears.
“Shutting down the university is clearly beyond how it will affect the students because it’s everybody; there will be no electricity, there will be no water, there will be no security, there will be no hostels for students, and there will be no administration,” he had stated.
Meanwhile, activities at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife in Osun, and Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA), were on Monday paralysed as workers complied with the directive to embark on a seven-day warning strike.
Activities were completely paralysed at the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) three campuses yesterday.
Fielding questions from journalists at the Senate building,Abuja campus of UNIPORT, the Chairman of SSANU, Comrd Bernard Ezechuku said the strike was effective and total as planned.
According to him, “No member of SSANU reported for work and this is just the first day of the showdown,so it is obvious that subsequent days life on campus will become more unbearable.”
He urged the federal government to do the needful, by paying the 4month withheld salaries of his members to end the strike, as nobody enjoys strike,which he said directly or indirectly affects everybody.
Also speaking, the NASU Chairman, UNIPORT Chapter, Comr. Osoruchi Ogbegbe corroborated the position of the SSANU Chairman, adding that they have written several letters to the Federal Government on the matter,but got no response, hence the strike.
The institutions’ branches of SSANU and NASU in compliance with the directive of its national bodies locked the main gates preventing entry and exit of vehicles on the campuses.
Also, academic activities were partially paralysed at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and the Enugu campus following the seven day warning strike by the Senior Staff Association of Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU).
The SSANU leader had berated the Federal Government for paying withheld salaries to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) while neglecting other unions like SSANU and NASU.
Meanwhile, Non academic workers including members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian University (SSANU) and Non Academic Staff Union (NASU) at the University of Ilorin on Monday embarked on strike in compliance with the national directive of the two Unions.
SSANU and NASU members began a seven-day nationwide strike to protest what they described as unfair treatment and disparity in the payment of withheld salaries of their members by the Federal Government.
Nigerian NewsDirect correspondent gathered that members of the two Unions first reported for duty at the University and held a Congress at the gate of the institution before departing for their homes.
The Chairman of NASU at the University of Ilorin, Comrade Zuberu Ibrahim said that the strike was a success as members of the two Unions involved complied totally with the directive of the National body.
Following an eight-month strike in 2022 to advocate for improved welfare packages, the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) have resumed nationwide strike action. This protest stems from perceived injustices in salary payments by the Federal Government.
During the previous strike, the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari invoked a ‘No Work, No Pay policy’ against the unions. However, last October, a partial resolution occurred when four months of the withheld salaries for ASUU members were released upon approval by Tinubu.
SSANU President, Mohammed Ibrahim, cited failed communication channels as a catalyst for the current strike. He accused the Office of the Accountant General, specifically the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) office, of showing disregard for SSANU and NASU despite presidential waivers granted to all striking unions in 2022.
Ibrahim emphasised the need for equitable treatment within the university system, denouncing the perceived discrepancy in prioritisation of staff welfare. He highlighted that the university functions as a chain, asserting that differential treatment contradicts the principles of fairness and unity within the academic community.
Also, Federal University Dutse FUD has issued a seven-day ultimatum as warning strike regarding outstanding entitlement from August to December for 2022.
The Chairman of the Association Comr. Alhassan Abdullahi of FUD Branch in Jigawa State told journalists shortly after closing all the university entrances, demanding for their rights and expressing their grievances.
Alhassan expressed dismay over non-payment of their entitlement for four months while other staff of the university have received their payment, especially the academic staff of the university.
In a related development, The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has thrown its support behind the ongoing strike led by the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), demanding immediate payment of withheld salaries for aggrieved workers.
In a statement issued by NLC President Joe Ajaero on Monday, the organisation expressed dismay at the lack of credible reasons or explanations for the initial withholding of salaries.
“We stand with our affiliate unions, NASU and SSANU, in demanding the immediate release of withheld salaries for their members,” the statement emphasised.
Ajaero underscored the severe hardships faced by members due to the withheld salaries, condemning any attempts to subject them to discriminatory treatment.
“It is illogical to subject members of these unions to discriminatory treatment, risking avoidable industrial disputes,” Ajaero stated.
The NLC emphasised the importance of maintaining confidence in public universities and urged the government to avoid exacerbating the situation.