The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) declared an indefinite strike, grinding academic activities to a halt across the nation.
This strike, which began on Monday, comes after four months of unpaid salaries, leaving students and staff in limbo. The unions accuse the Federal Government of reneging on its promises and failing to engage meaningfully with their leadership.
Speaking on Tuesday night, SSANU’s National Vice-President, Abdussobur Salaam, expressed deep frustration, stating:
“There’s no official communication from the government. Only informal calls from the minister of state for education have been made, with nothing concrete—just empty appeals. We’ve had enough of unfulfilled promises. If our demands are not met, we will not back down.”
The unions are demanding the immediate payment of withheld salaries, improved remuneration, earned allowances, and full implementation of the 2009 agreements signed with the government.
National President Mohammed Ibrahim and NASU General Secretary Prince Peters Adeyemi confirmed that their final ultimatum expired at midnight on Sunday, with no tangible response from the government.
The No Work, No Pay policy invoked by the Ministry of Labour and Employment during last year’s university strikes remains a major flashpoint. The unions had given a seven-day notice to the Federal Government to meet their demands and fulfill the Memorandum of Understanding signed on August 20, 2022—but the government failed to act before the deadline of October 27, 2024.
It will be recalled that on July 18, 2024, during a National Peaceful Protest at Unity Fountain, Abuja, the unions issued a stern 10-day ultimatum warning the government to pay the outstanding salaries or face a shutdown. With no action taken, the unions say this indefinite strike is the only option left.
“We have come too far to accept more delays,” Salaam stressed. “The ball is in the government’s court—if the money doesn’t come, we’re not going back.”
Niger Delta Connect earlier reported that the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has announced an indefinite strike, set to commence Sunday night, plunging the nation’s universities into potential chaos.
In a statement released Sunday and signed by SSANU National President, Mohammed Ibrahim, and NASU General Secretary, Prince Peters Adeyemi, the unions said the Federal Government had failed to meet their demands, including the payment of four months' withheld salaries, improved remuneration, earned allowances, and the implementation of the 2009 agreements.
