The Senior Staff Union of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) have announced a one-week warning strike scheduled for Monday, March 18, 2024.
This decision was reached following a resolution at the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting last week in Akure, Ondo State. The union emphasised the need to address longstanding issues that the government has neglected since 2022. This includes releasing salaries for four months withheld by the federal government.
Speaking to the press, the Vice President of SSANU, Dr Salaam, stated,
“We have declared a seven-day warning strike effective from the 18th of March, pending due process within the rank of the union and discussions with our sister union, NASU. If our demands are not met during this period, there is a possibility of transitioning into an indefinite strike.”
He remarked that SSANU members are not willing to be maltreated; as such, it was essential to compensate them fairly for their contractual obligations to the government.
The looming strike action was hinged on President Muhammadu Buhari’s actions, as he had withheld salaries until he departed from office. However, in October 2023, President Bola Tinubu assured ASUU members of the immediate payment of their withheld salaries, raising concerns about the fate of other unions.
No remuneration has been made except for the academic teaching staff of federal universities. SSANU’s National Executive Council (NEC) suspects saboteurs within the government and has called for the immediate implementation of the President’s directive to avoid industrial unrest.
In the absence of compliance, the body has sanctioned a one-week warning strike in collaboration with NASU.
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