We will resume when we get alerts – SSANU, NASU adamant on strike over salary arrears

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) have vowed to continue their indefinite strike until their demands are met.

The strike, which began on Monday, was called over the non-payment of four months’ salary arrears.

SSANU President Mohammed Ibrahim, during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, on Monday, emphasized, “The issue is not about meetings; it’s about payment. They can simply direct for this payment, and I assure you, in less than 24 hours, we can refer back to our principals and this strike will be suspended.”

Ibrahim expressed skepticism about government assurances, stating, “Assurances from politicians and government officials are not new things to us. But the mandate we have from our members is that this strike is totally indefinite, and we will only resume when we get the alerts.”

The strike has crippled activities across public universities in Nigeria, with classes and facilities shut. This is not the first time the unions have taken industrial action; in March, they embarked on a seven-day warning strike over non-payment of salaries.

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President Bola Tinubu had directed the payment of withheld salaries for university workers following their 2022 strike. However, SSANU and NASU accuse the Federal Government of unfulfilled promises and disdainful treatment.

“Well, assurances are not something that we have not received before,” Ibrahim noted.

The Senate has labelled the strike unnecessary and called for dialogue. Chairman of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions, Dandutse Mohammed, emphasized, “A peaceful resolution would be a more responsible approach to avoid further hardship and academic disruptions.”

Mohammed urged the unions to reconsider their stance, saying, “Dialogue is key in resolving these issues.”

Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris stated, “We are willing to engage in dialogue to resolve outstanding issues.” The government has invited labour unions for talks over strike threats.

Union Demands

SSANU and NASU demand:

1. Payment of four months’ salary arrears
2. Fulfillment of previous agreements
3. Improved welfare packages

The strike continues, with no clear resolution in sight. Ibrahim reiterated, “We will only resume when we get the alerts.”

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