- Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU) issued a three-week ultimatum for salary payments
- The university staff unions said four months of salaries remain unpaid despite government assurance
- Unions issued a stern warning of an impending indefinite strike unless the Government addresses unpaid salaries within the newly established deadline
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU), through their Joint Action Committee, have issued a threat to launch an indefinite strike over their outstanding salary payments.
The unions issued a three-week ultimatum to the Federal Government to settle their unpaid salaries.
This was disclosed in a statement released on Wednesday, September 18, by SSANU President Mohammed Ibrahim and NASU General Secretary Prince Peters Adeyemi.
SSANU, NASU threaten indefinite strike over unpaid salary
“The government is hereby given a final three-week ultimatum, starting from Tuesday, September 17, 2024, to pay the four months’ withheld salaries and implement the agreement reached on August 20, 2022.
“Should the government fail to meet these demands, our members may be forced to embark on indefinite strike action at the expiration of the ultimatum,” the statement read.
They noted that the 10-day window given to the Federal Government for the payment of four months’ worth of overdue salaries for university staff expired on July 26, 2024.
SSANU, NASU demand payment of four months’ salaries
Beginning Tuesday, September 17, the unions have provided the Federal Government with an additional three-week deadline to address their demands or they may proceed with an indefinite strike.
They warned that they would close universities and inter-university centers if payment is not made during the new grace period.
The demands from SSANU and NASU include the payment of four months’ outstanding salaries, improved compensation, earned allowances, and the implementation of the 2009 agreement with the federal government.
Tinubu’s salary approval yet to materialise, university staff unions
The unions accused the Federal Government of not responding within the six-week ultimatum given in July of this year.
The statement also mentioned that President Bola Tinubu approved the payment of the withheld salaries on July 18, 2024, during the National Minimum Wage meeting after talks with the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) leaders.
“We have recently been informed that the President has approved the actual release of the payment. However, despite these approvals, nothing has been forthcoming.”
FCT teachers begin indefinite strike, threaten further action if demands are not met
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Government teachers in Federal Capital Territory (FCT) embarked on an indefinite strike, following a 14-day ultimatum.
The strike would be accompanied by protests and support from secondary school teachers in the long term, Union warned.