The corridors of Nigerian universities fell silent today as the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) commenced a nationwide strike, citing grievances over unfair treatment and salary disparities imposed by the Federal Government.
SSANU President, Mohammed Ibrahim, affirmed the commencement of the strike, emphasizing the comprehensive withdrawal of services across critical university departments including registry, bursary, security, works and maintenance, and students’ affairs.
Expressing frustration at the lack of official engagement from government representatives, Ibrahim highlighted the absence of proactive outreach from the Labour Minister, Nkiruka Onyejeocha, despite the issuance of a seven-day notice last Monday.
He bemoaned what he perceived as a lack of commitment from certain government officials to address the longstanding grievances of the non-academic unions, alleging inconsistencies in the payment of withheld salaries and citing President Bola Tinubu’s directive regarding 2022 arrears as an example.
The strike, which marks the initiation of a seven-day warning period, signals a resolute stance by SSANU and NASU to secure their demands. Notably, vice-chancellors, registrars, and bursars have also been affected by the non-payment of 2022 arrears, further intensifying the unions’ resolve.
Ibrahim underscored the gravity of the situation, warning of impending disruptions to essential university services such as electricity, water, security, and accommodation facilities for students.
The roots of the current standoff trace back to the federal government’s preferential treatment towards the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), evident in the release of withheld salaries exclusively to ASUU members.
This disparity, coupled with the administration’s failure to address the broader concerns of SSANU and NASU following an eight-month strike in 2022, has fueled resentment and disillusionment within the non-academic staff.
Amid accusations of neglect and disdain from the Office of the Accountant General, exemplified by the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), Ibrahim condemned the government’s misplaced priorities, asserting that equitable treatment across all university unions is paramount.
With the warning strike now underway, SSANU and NASU stand poised to escalate their protest should their demands continue to be disregarded, signaling a protracted battle for fair representation and recognition within Nigeria’s higher education sector.
