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 announced plans to commence an indefinite strike if their outstanding salaries are not paid within three weeks.
The unions are demanding the payment of four months’ withheld salaries, improved remuneration, earned allowances, and the implementation of the 2009 agreements with the government. They had previously given the Federal Government a 10-day grace period, which ended on July 26, 2024, to address these issues. However, six weeks after this period expired, the government has yet to meet their demands.
In a statement signed by SSANU President Mr. Mohammed Ibrahim and NASU General Secretary Prince Peters Adeyemi, the unions warned that failure to fulfill these obligations would force them to shut down universities and inter-university centers. They revealed that despite President Bola Tinubu’s approval for the payment of the withheld salaries as early as July 18, 2024, the payment has not been implemented.
The unions criticized the delay and urged the government to act promptly or face a nationwide strike starting three weeks from September 17, 2024.