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 pay outstanding salaries or face an indefinite strike. The unions are demanding payment of four months’ withheld salaries, improved remuneration, earned allowances, and implementation of the 2009 agreements with the government.
In a statement signed by SSANU President Mohammed Ibrahim and NASU General Secretary Prince Peters Adeyemi, the unions expressed frustration over the government’s failure to meet their demands. “It is in respect of the above that we write to inform the government of the decision of the National JAC of NASU and SSANU… that the government be given another three weeks’ final ultimatum… to pay the four months’ withheld salaries and also implement the agreement reached with it on 20th August 2022.”
The Federal Government had previously invoked the “No Work, No Pay” policy during the 2022 university-based unions’ strike. However, the unions argue that President Bola Tinubu has approved the payment of the withheld salaries, but government officials have failed to implement it.
“We have it on good authority that Mr. President has given approval for the payment of the four months’ withheld salaries as far back as 18th July 2024,” the unions stated. Despite this, “nothing has been forthcoming despite all the approvals.”
The unions had initially given the government a 10-day grace period, which expired on July 26, 2024. Six weeks later, the government remains unresponsive.
If the government fails to meet the unions’ demands within the three-week ultimatum, which began on September 17, 2024, the unions may embark on an indefinite strike, shutting down universities and inter-university centers.
