Varsity workers threaten to shut campuses over withheld salaries

In a move to protest against the federal government’s failure to pay their salaries for the past four months, Nigerian university workers, represented by the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), have threatened to shut down various campuses across the country.

The planned shutdown is set to commence on Thursday, July 4, 2024, marking the end of a two-week ultimatum issued by the unions. The federal government has reportedly withheld the salaries since 2022, prompting the unions to take action.

The Joint Action Committee, which comprises both SSANU and NASU, had previously given the government a two-week deadline to pay its members. However, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is the only university union that has received payment, leaving the other three unions without their rightful salaries.

During their 48th National Executive Council meeting held at the University of Benin, Edo State, SSANU members expressed their dissatisfaction with the government’s insensitivity and alleged preferential treatment of one union over the others. They accused the government of adopting a “divide and rule” policy, causing unrest within the university system.

SSANU President, Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, stated that if the government fails to meet their demands by the end of the ultimatum, the unions will withdraw their services. A meeting between the Joint Action Committee and the government is scheduled for the said date to review the government’s response and determine the unions’ next course of action.

The unions also expressed disappointment with the government’s approved wage award of N35,000, which was intended to offset the impact of fuel subsidy removal. However, this award has been stopped in federal universities, leaving three months of arrears unpaid. Additionally, many state universities have yet to implement the wage award, further exacerbating the financial difficulties faced by the workers.

The university workers remain resolute in their demands for the payment of their withheld salaries and adequate compensation for the financial challenges they have endured.