Today, members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) have initiated a nationwide strike over grievances related to alleged unfair treatment and salary disparities by the Federal Government.
Last Monday, the unions had issued a warning, threatening to close down university hostels and halt power supply if their demands were not met by today, March 18, 2024.
According to the National President of SSANU, Muhammed Ibrahim, members, including Vice Chancellors, registrars, and bursars, have not received their 2022 arrears.
Despite the Minister for Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, claiming unawareness of SSANU/NASU’s planned strike, Ibrahim confirmed during a Channels Television programme that the strike had commenced.
Ibrahim stated, “As of today (Monday), all our workers in registry, bursary, works and maintenance, security, and students’ affairs have withdrawn their services, and nothing moves within the administration of any public university in Nigeria.”
He further expressed disappointment that no government representative had reached out to the non-academic unions officially, despite some unofficial assurances. Additionally, he criticized the Minister of Labour, Nkiruka Onyejeocha, for not engaging with the aggrieved unions, despite issuing a seven-day notice last Monday.
Ibrahim emphasized that if the government fails to address the unions’ demands after the seven-day warning strike, the unions would consider further actions.
The strike action initiated by SSANU and NASU has led to the disruption of university operations across the nation, affecting administrative and support services in public universities.