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 a one-month suspension of its indefinite strike, effective Tuesday, November 5, 2024. This decision comes following the payment of one month’s worth of the four months’ withheld salaries by the Federal Government.
The unions began their strike on October 28, 2024, in protest of four months of unpaid salaries, which had brought activities in universities nationwide to a standstill. However, after receiving a partial payment last Friday, the unions decided to temporarily call off the strike.
In a joint statement issued on Sunday and signed by the National President of SSANU, Mohammed Ibrahim, and NASU’s General Secretary, Prince Peters Adeyemi, members were directed to resume work on November 5. The union leaders instructed branch leaders to convene a congress on Monday, November 4, to inform members of the recent developments and preparations for resumption.
The statement highlighted that recent high-level discussions with the Federal Government had resulted in an “irrevocable commitment” to pay an additional two months of the withheld salaries on a staggered basis. The engagement involved key government officials, including the new Minister of Education, the Minister of Finance, and the leadership of the Department of State Services (DSS), who expressed commitment to addressing the unions’ grievances.
“In light of the progress made and the demonstrated commitment of the new Minister and DSS leadership, the JAC has decided to suspend the strike for a month to enable further dialogue,” the statement read.
The unions also acknowledged their members’ resilience, thanking them for their unwavering support during the industrial action. Discussions are ongoing over other unresolved issues, including the remaining two months of withheld salaries, ₦50 billion in Earned Allowances, arrears of 25/35 percent, and the Wage Award.
The JAC emphasized its demand for improved remuneration, the payment of earned allowances, and the implementation of the 2009 agreements. It also criticized the Federal Government’s invocation of the “No Work, No Pay” policy, initially enforced during a prolonged strike by university-based unions in 2022. The unions maintained that they would continue to advocate for their rights until all outstanding issues are resolved.
