The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) have announced a temporary suspension of their ongoing nationwide indefinite strike, which was initiated due to withheld salaries. This decision comes as a relief to many in the education sector, with the suspension set to take effect from Tuesday, November 5, 2024.
In a joint statement released on Sunday, the leadership of both unions confirmed this suspension, emphasizing the need to return to work while continuing to advocate for their members’ rights. The statement was jointly signed by Prince Peters Adeyemi, General Secretary of NASU, and Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, National President of SSANU.
The strike began on Monday, October 28, 2024, in response to what the unions described as the government’s insensitivity to the legitimate demands of their members regarding overdue salaries. The unions expressed their dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of these issues, which led to the escalation of the strike.
In their statement, the National leadership of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of NASU and SSANU praised their members for their strong support during the strike. They said, “We thank our members in the universities and Inter-University Centres for their determination and support throughout this action.”
The unions highlighted that extensive discussions have taken place with various officials of the Federal Government, including the new Minister of Education and the Minister of Finance, among others. These high-level discussions resulted in a commitment from the government to address the issue of withheld salaries by paying two of the four months owed, with one month due by the end of October 2024 and the second month by the end of November 2024.
Given these developments and the commitment demonstrated by the government, the JAC leadership has decided to suspend the indefinite strike for one month, starting on November 5, 2024. The unions have instructed branch leaders of NASU and SSANU to hold a joint Congress on Monday, November 4, 2024, to inform their members about these updates and encourage them to resume work.
The statement also emphasized that discussions concerning the remaining two months’ salaries, the N50 billion in Earned Allowances, and other outstanding payments are ongoing and under negotiation.
The unions expressed gratitude to their members for their support during the strike. They acknowledged the need for continued dialogue and commitment to ensure that the legitimate concerns of their members are addressed.
