The Joint Action Committee of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions has issued a three-week ultimatum to the Federal Government, threatening to embark on an indefinite strike if their withheld salaries are not paid.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the unions demanded the payment of four months’ outstanding salaries, along with improved remuneration, earned allowances, and the implementation of the 2009 agreements between the unions and the government.
SSANU President, Mr. Mohammed Ibrahim, and NASU General Secretary, Prince Peters Adeyemi, signed the joint statement, which warned that universities and inter-university centres could be shut down if their demands were not met by the expiration of the ultimatum on 8th October 2024.
“It is in light of the above that we inform the government of the decision of the National JAC of NASU and SSANU, at the meeting held on 12th September 2024, that the government is given a final three-week ultimatum from Tuesday, 17th September 2024, to pay the four months’ withheld salaries and implement the agreement reached on 20th August 2022,” Ibrahim said. “Failing this, our members may be forced to embark on indefinite strike action.”
The dispute over withheld salaries began when the Federal Government invoked the “No Work, No Pay” policy in response to the prolonged strike by university unions in 2022.
Despite promises made during a National Minimum Wage meeting with the Nigerian Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress on 18th July 2024, the unions say that the government has yet to fulfill its obligations.
“We have it on good authority that Mr. President approved the payment of the four months’ withheld salaries as far back as 18th July 2024 at the National Minimum Wage meeting with the NLC and TUC leadership,” the statement added. “Regrettably, despite these approvals, nothing has been forthcoming.”
The unions also pointed out that the initial 10-day grace period given to the Federal Government, which expired on 26th July 2024, had passed without any action.
With the latest deadline fast approaching, tension is building among university staff, raising concerns about another round of industrial action that could disrupt academic activities across the country.
