The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has issued a serious warning that it will shut down universities on Thursday, July 4, due to the Federal Government’s failure to pay four months of withheld salaries. This announcement was made through a communique signed by SSANU President, Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, following the association’s 48th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Benin City, Edo State.
SSANU has declared its intention to withdraw services across Nigerian universities until their salary demands are met. The NEC has urged the federal government to act swiftly and fairly, avoiding preferential treatment of one union over others to prevent chaos in the educational system.
The Joint Action Committee (JAC), which includes SSANU and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), had previously issued a two-week ultimatum to the Federal Government. They demanded the payment of the withheld salaries, emphasizing the disparity in treatment among university-based unions. While the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) received their payments, SSANU and NASU members were left waiting despite complying with all legal procedures before their industrial action.
In the communique, SSANU expressed disappointment with the government’s promises and media statements from the Ministers of Education and Labour, as well as the House of Representatives, regarding the payment of arrears. Despite agreeing to suspend a warning strike in March, the government has yet to fulfill its commitments, prompting SSANU to consider a comprehensive industrial action in collaboration with NASU.
The NEC also addressed the issue of the government’s approved wage award of N35,000, which has been stopped. They noted that this wage award failed to alleviate the financial hardships faced by staff members. The economic situation has worsened as many states have not implemented the payment of this wage award to university staff.
SSANU called on the Federal Government to immediately resume the payment of the wage award along with the accrued three months’ arrears. They also urged state governments that have not started paying the wage award to do so promptly, including all accruing arrears, to mitigate the financial burdens on university staff.
In conclusion, Nigerian universities face a potential shutdown as SSANU demands the Federal Government pay the overdue salaries and wage awards. This situation highlights the ongoing challenges in the education sector and the urgent need for a resolution to prevent further disruptions in the academic calendar.
