The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) have issued a threat to halt campus activities nationwide starting Thursday unless the federal government addresses the withheld salary arrears of their members. This ultimatum follows a communique released after SSANU’s 48th regular National Executive Council meeting at the University of Benin, signed by SSANU President, Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim.
On June 20, 2024, the unions sent a letter to the Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, demanding the payment of the salary arrears within two weeks. The letter, signed by NASU General Secretary, Prince Peters Adeyemi, and Ibrahim, criticized the government’s neglect and insincerity. Despite promises from the Ministers of Education and Labour, as well as the House of Representatives, the government has failed to pay the arrears, causing frustration among union members.
The communique expressed disappointment over the government’s insensitivity and accused it of using divide and rule tactics to create discord among unions by favoring one over the others. The unions recalled their compelled strike in 2022 due to the government’s failure to honor a collective bargaining agreement and criticized the selective payment of withheld salaries. While some unions received their arrears, SSANU and NASU did not, despite following all legal procedures before their industrial action.
SSANU’s NEC has approved a long-term comprehensive industrial action, pending a Joint Action Committee meeting with NASU scheduled for Thursday, July 4, 2024, if the government fails to pay the four months’ salary arrears. The unions also demanded the resumption of the N35,000 wage award payments to federal civil servants and urged state governments to commence the payment of the wage award, including arrears.
The unions called on the federal government to expedite the negotiation, approval, and implementation of a new national minimum wage, to be adopted by states, local governments, and the organized private sector. They emphasized the urgency of these demands to alleviate the financial burdens on their members, particularly in light of the recent fuel subsidy removal.