After a week-long warning strike by the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) protesting withheld salaries, the president, Mohammed Ibrahim, issued a stern warning during a virtual forum organised by the Education Writers Association of Nigeria (EWAN).
Joined by Ibeji Nwokoma, president of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational And Associated Institutions (NASU), Ibrahim emphasised the potential for “drastic action” if the government fails to address their grievances.
The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of university labor unions initiated the strike on March 18 due to four months of unpaid salaries and the government’s failure to implement agreements dating back to 2009.
Ibrahim affirmed that SSANU would convene with its branches to evaluate the strike’s impact and the government’s response, determining the next course of action.
Highlighting historical disappointments, Ibrahim cited the government’s propensity to renege on agreements, notably the 2009 renegotiation.
Asserting their rights within legal boundaries, he outlined various permissible actions such as warning strikes, picketing, or work-to-rule tactics.
Ibrahim stated that these actions were essential to address the dire financial situations faced by members who are also parents with financial obligations.
Expressing regret over the necessity of resorting to strikes, Ibrahim underscored the detrimental effects on students.
He advocated for increased funding as the fundamental solution to the systemic crises plaguing Nigerian universities, including the loss of lives due to inadequate healthcare funding.
Additionally, Ibrahim decried the lack of autonomy within universities, attributing it to operational challenges. He urged the government to prioritise meritocracy in the appointment of university leaders, eschewing nepotism and favoritism in the selection process.
