Rita Odafe
The Joint Action Committee representing the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) has set a three-week deadline for the Federal Government to address unpaid salaries.
They have warned of a potential strike if their requests are ignored.
The key demands include the payment of four months of overdue salaries, enhanced pay, owed allowances, and the honoring of the 2009 agreements with the government.
Previously, the Federal Government, via the Ministry of Labour and Employment, had enforced the ‘No Work, No Pay’ rule when four university unions went on an extended strike in 2022.
In a statement from SSANU President Mr. Mohammed Ibrahim and NASU General Secretary Prince Peters Adeyemi, they indicated that a 10-day window given to the government ended on July 26, 2024, for the payment of the owed salaries. The unions warned of a potential halt to university operations and inter-university centers if payments remain unsettled.
Despite the deadline passing over six weeks ago, there has been no action taken by the government.
“Given these circumstances, we announce that the National JAC of NASU and SSANU has decided at the meeting on September 12, 2024, to present a final three-week ultimatum starting Tuesday, September 17, 2024. The government must pay the four months’ withheld salaries and abide by the agreement reached on August 20, 2022. If not, our members may have no choice but to commence an indefinite strike once the deadline expires,” stated Ibrahim.
