SSANU, NASU begins Nationwide strike today

To protest the denial of their four months’ wage, the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Nigerian Universities and Allied Institutions plan to go on a nationwide strike today, Monday.

The SSANU National President, Muhammad Ibrahim, affirmed the unions’ decision to go on strike in a statement provided to The PUNCH.

Prof. Tahir Mamman, the minister of education, asserted that he was unaware of the SSANU/NASU strike that was scheduled. He said, “I am not aware of any planned strike,” in a text message. However, I am aware that the issue is being considered at the highest governmental level. I’ll communicate with them.

Following a lengthy strike in 2021, the Federal Government instituted the no-work, no-pay policy, withholding university employees’ paychecks. SSANU and NASU were not included in the February salary announcement that was made available to members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities.

“Having waited patiently for the ultimatum to expire without any positive response from the government, this is to direct our members in the universities and inter-university centres throughout the country to commence a seven-day warning strike effective Monday, 18th March 2024 in the first instance,” SSANU leader Muhammad Ibrahim said, expressing frustration over the government’s inaction.

SSANU National Vice-President, Abdussobur Salaam, lamented the lack of communication from the government regarding the withheld salaries, saying, “We have not heard anything from the government; they are not saying anything about payment of the salaries, no promises, no negotiation.”