On Monday, federal universities across the country were shut down, in compliance with the indefinite strike called by the Joint Action Committee of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities.
On Sunday night, SSANU and NASU vowed to indefinitely shut down all university activities across the country, starting Monday, until the Federal Government paid the four months withheld salaries.
In a statement signed by the National President of SSANU, Mohammed Ibrahim, and the General Secretary of NASU, Peters Adeyemi, said the ultimatum it gave the Federal Government over its withheld salaries expired Sunday midnight.
The unions are demanding, among others, the payment of the four-month withheld salaries, improved remuneration, earned allowances, and implementation of the 2009 agreements with the government.
The Federal Government had, through the Ministry of Labour and Employment, invoked the ‘No Work, No Pay’ policy when the four university-based unions embarked on a prolonged strike in 2022.
Last October, President Bola Tinubu directed payment of four of the eight months withheld salaries for the academic staff. It was finally paid in February.
The directive was silent about the non-teaching staff, raising concerns as to their fate, a development the unions described as selective.
The Federal Ministry of Education on Monday reached out to the leaders of the university workers’ union, following the declaration of an indefinite strike.
Speaking on Monday with our correspondent in Abuja, Ibrahim noted that the ministry reached out to him requesting a meeting.
“Well, I will say unofficial (meeting) because there is no official communication to that effect,” Ibrahim said.
“The Minister of State for Education reached out via a phone call and noted that the call was on the instance of the incoming minister, requesting for a meeting today in Abuja but because I was unavailable, the meeting couldn’t be held.
“As you know most of us are not based in Abuja and all of that.”
According to Ibrahim, the compliance observed in universities on Monday likely prompted the Federal Ministry of Education to request a meeting.
On Monday, not much activity was recorded at the University of Lagos, as the school was on holiday.
A monitoring exercise conducted by our correspondent revealed that although the University of Lagos was on holiday, SSANU and NASU members still adhered to the strike directive.
Speaking to our correspondent, the branch chairman of SSANU at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Mr K.T. Fashola, stated that there was approximately 55 per cent compliance in the school, due to previously scheduled events planned for Monday.
“Yes, our members complied at about 55 per cent because today (Monday) is the first day, and many activities had already been arranged that the school could not cancel. There is compliance.”
Chairman, SSANU, Federal University Technology, Akure, Mr Felix Adunbi, explained that the body held its congress in alignment with the national directive, and they fully concurred with that position.
“Our members have been instructed to return home until the Federal Government takes appropriate action.
“NASU had directed its members to stay at home since last (Sunday) night, but SSANU convened its congress this (Monday) morning to communicate the national message.
“Afterward, everyone returned to their respective homes, and all administrative duties have been suspended until further notice,” Adunbi said, urging the government to act honourably.
He added, “The President approved the necessary funds last year, and ASUU was subsequently paid.
“We have organised multiple protests regarding this issue. Despite this, we still don’t understand why the Ministry of Finance is withholding these funds.
“We implore the government to fulfil its commitment. If the President has approved, why is there a delay? The Ministry of Finance, the agency responsible for these payments, must act swiftly to release our funds.”
