SSANU and NASU Strike Paralyzes Universities as Salaries Withheld

Joe Ajaero, the National President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, has urged the Federal Government to pay the four months’ worth of salaries that were withheld from the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational Associated Institutions (NASU). His call comes in response to a warning strike initiated by SSANU and NASU, which commenced on Monday, causing a halt in university activities nationwide.

SSANU and NASU had been raising concerns with the government for about a month regarding their exclusion from the salary payments that were initiated for the Academic Staff Union of Universities in February. These salaries had been withheld when the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari implemented a ‘No Work, No Pay policy’ against both ASUU and SSANU due to strikes they conducted in 2022.

In a statement signed by Ajaero, he emphasized the immediate need for the withheld salaries to be paid, highlighting the hardship faced by union members and the illogical nature of the discriminatory treatment they’ve endured. The strike, which has seen a 90% success rate according to SSANU’s National President, Muhammed Ibrahim, reflects the frustration and anger among union members over the government’s failure to address their grievances. The strike has effectively paralyzed university activities across multiple states, demonstrating the widespread support and determination of SSANU and NASU members in demanding fair treatment and the resolution of their financial issues.