SSANU, NASU GIVE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SEVEN-DAY ULTIMATUM, THREATENS STRIKE IN UNIVERSITIES

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) have warned that they will embark on strike if the Federal Government fails to address long-standing grievances within seven days.

In a joint letter dated September 12 and signed by SSANU President Muhammed Ibrahim and NASU General Secretary Peters Adeyemi, the unions accused the government of neglecting issues affecting non-teaching staff in universities and inter-university centres.

They listed the unfair sharing of ₦50 billion earned allowances, non-payment of withheld salaries, delays in the implementation of a 25 to 35 percent salary increase, and the slow renegotiation of the 2009 agreement with the Federal Government as their major concerns.

The unions said the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, had promised action during a July 4 meeting with the Joint Action Committee of SSANU and NASU, but little progress has been made since then. They added that while the government has concluded talks with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), non-teaching staff have been sidelined.

The unions stressed that unless the government responds positively to their demands by Monday, September 22, members will begin a series of industrial actions, including strikes, to press for justice.

Reported By Bright Okpo