The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU) have jointly declared a nationwide protest scheduled for Tuesday.
This decision follows unsuccessful negotiations between the unions and government officials from the Ministries of Education and Labour. NASU’s General Secretary, Prince Peters Adeyemi, and SSANU’s National President, Comrade Mohammed H. Ibrahim, announced the protests in a circular sent to branch leaders and shared with the media on Sunday. The protests will start on July 9, 2024 across all state branches, ending with a national protest in Abuja on July 18.
The unions’ Joint Action Committee (JAC) met on July 4, 2024, to discuss problems like unpaid salaries and other issues affecting their members in universities. Despite meetings with government officials, including the Minister of Education and the National Universities Commission (NUC), the unions were unhappy with the lack of clear promises to fix their concerns. Another meeting at the Ministry of Labour and Employment also did not produce any good results.
In response to what they see as government insensitivity, NASU and SSANU have planned several actions. On July 8, 2024, all branches will hold meetings to inform members about the situation. On July 9, 2024, each branch will stage a one-day protest with full participation and media coverage. This will be followed by a national protest in Abuja on July 18, 2024. If their issues are still not addressed, they may escalate to a strike.
The full text of the circular reads:
“The National body of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of NASU and SSANU met on Thursday, 4th July 2024 to appraise and take a position on the current situation in respect of the withheld (4) four months’ salaries and other grievances of our members in University and Inter-University Centres.
“Similarly, the National JAC on invitation met with the Honourable Minister of Education; Honourable Minister of State for Education; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education; other top officials of the Ministry and National Universities Commission (NUC).
“Unfortunately, the engagement with the Minister of Education has not shown any convincing commitment on the payment of the withheld salaries and resolutions of other pending grievances of JAC of the two unions.
“It is also disheartening that the JAC was also at the Federal Ministry of Labour & Employment and as usual, the Honourable Minister of State was not on seat to receive us, as we were informed that she had an urgent call from the villa.
“The Permanent Secretary who stood in for her could not make any commitment on the issues raised.
“In view of this disappointment and failure of Government to address grievances of NASU and SSANU, JAC has decided on a series of Industrial actions which include the following; All branches of NASU and SSANU should mandatorily hold a general meeting on Monday, 8th July, 2024 to sensitize members on the insensitivity of Government to our plights.
“A ONE DAY protest should be held on Tuesday, 9th July 2024 at each branch simultaneously. Every branch should ensure that all members fully participate in the protest and that the Press/ media is adequately mobilized.
“A NATIONAL PROTEST will be held in Abuja on Thursday, 18th July, 2024 after which JAC will meet to announce a date when the strike action will commence. Further information will be communicated appropriately. Thank you for your anticipated cooperation in this regard.”
