The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) on Thursday staged a peaceful protest at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, over what they described as government’s failure to meet long-standing demands affecting university workers.
The protest, held at the Samaru campus, was part of a one-day nationwide action directed by the JAC national leadership to press home their demands for improved welfare, payment of withheld salaries, and the implementation of key agreements previously reached with the Federal Government.
Carrying placards with bold inscriptions such as “Enough is Enough, Pay Our Withheld Salaries,” “FG Honour Our 2009 Agreement,” and “Justice Delayed is Justice Denied,” the protesters marched peacefully from the ABU Senate Building to the main gate of the university. The demonstration drew attention from students, staff, and members of the university community, though it remained orderly throughout.
Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the protest, Malam Mohammed Yunusa, Chairman of JAC, ABU Zaria branch, said the protest became necessary after repeated appeals to government yielded no results. According to him, the unions had exercised patience for months while awaiting action on the issues, but continued neglect forced them to mobilise members nationwide.
“This protest is to draw the attention of the government and the general public to our unresolved grievances,” Yunusa said. “₦50 billion in earned allowances was agreed to be paid to us, but only ₦10 billion has so far been released. We are also demanding the payment of our two months’ withheld salaries, as well as the 25 and 30 per cent salary arrears that remain unpaid.”
He noted that the renegotiation of the 2009 Federal Government/NASU-SSANU agreement has also been unnecessarily delayed, leaving critical welfare issues unresolved. According to him, the agreement, which was meant to improve the working conditions and remuneration of non-academic university staff, has remained largely unimplemented despite several meetings and assurances from government officials.
Yunusa explained that the nationwide protest was a warning action to demonstrate the unions’ frustration and readiness to take further steps if their demands are not met. He emphasized that the unions are not interested in disrupting academic activities but are demanding fairness and justice in the treatment of university workers.
“The peaceful nature of this protest shows our discipline and commitment to due process,” he said. “However, if the national body declares an indefinite strike or university closure, the ABU chapter will have no choice but to comply fully. We can no longer continue to work under such conditions of neglect.”
The JAC chairman reiterated that university staff have been demoralized by years of unfulfilled promises and selective treatment. While academic staff have received attention for some of their demands, he said, non-academic unions have been consistently sidelined despite their vital roles in the functioning of the university system.
“Our members handle the administrative, technical, and operational backbone of universities,” Yunusa stated. “Without us, universities cannot function effectively. We are only asking for equity and the fulfillment of agreements that the government voluntarily entered into.”
Observers noted that the protest at ABU reflects the broader tension across Nigeria’s university system. Similar demonstrations took place simultaneously in various federal and state universities as part of the coordinated action by NASU and SSANU. The unions have warned that if the government fails to act within a reasonable time, they may resort to a full-scale strike, which could disrupt ongoing academic calendars nationwide.
Education stakeholders have expressed concern about the recurring labour crises in Nigerian universities, warning that prolonged disruptions could further affect students’ learning outcomes and institutional credibility. They urged the Federal Government to engage the unions in genuine dialogue to address the issues once and for all.
The demands of NASU and SSANU touch on key aspects of university governance and labour rights, including earned allowances, salary arrears, welfare improvements, and consistent funding for public universities. Analysts say resolving these issues would not only improve staff morale but also enhance the quality of tertiary education in Nigeria.
For students and staff at ABU, Thursday’s protest served as a reminder of the deep-rooted challenges facing the nation’s higher education sector. While the demonstration ended peacefully, the message was clear — university workers are no longer willing to accept unfulfilled promises or delayed justice.
As JAC awaits a response from the Federal Government, uncertainty looms over the stability of the academic calendar. Many hope that constructive engagement will replace confrontation and that the government will take swift steps to meet its obligations to university workers.
