THE Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) have suspended their planned indefinite strike due to ongoing nationwide protests against hunger and poor governance.
On July 18, the two unions, represented through the Joint Action Committee (JAC), staged a national protest and submitted letters to the Ministries of Education and Labour and Employment, demanding the payment of four months’ withheld salaries.
They warned that failure to meet their demand would result in an indefinite strike.
The timing of the protest coincided with President Bola Tinubu’s meeting with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where labour leaders raised the issue of the withheld salaries.
The president promptly instructed that the salaries be paid. However, with the one-week deadline expiring without payment and ongoing nationwide protests, the unions chose to suspend their indefinite strike.
The JAC explained that pursuing a strike might overshadow their issue amid the larger national protests which would reduce the visibility and impact of their demands.
In a circular sent to branch chairpersons of NASU and SSANU at universities and inter-university centres, titled, ‘Latest Development in Respect of the Withheld Four Months Salaries,’ the JAC noted that while the 10-day grace period given to the Federal Government had ended, a strike could be overshadowed by the broader protests.
The circular, signed by NASU General Secretary, Prince Peters Adeyemi and SSANU President, Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, stated: “The JAC of NASU and SSANU has decided to keep you updated on the latest developments regarding our ongoing demands for the payment of the withheld four months’ salaries and the unimplemented agreement reached with the government on August 20, 2022.
“It is no longer news that the recent national peaceful protest held on July 18, at Unity Fountain, Abuja, was a success despite police harassment. Our ultimatum letters, giving the government until midnight on July 28, 2024, were delivered to the Minister of Education and the Minister of State for Labour and Employment.
“Although reports indicate that the president directed the Ministers of Finance and Education to secure the funds, no payment has yet been made. The 10-day grace period has expired, but the strike cannot proceed due to the threat of the national protest, which has garnered significant government attention.”
“The JAC believes it is not the right time for an indefinite strike as it would be overshadowed by the national protests and fail to attract the necessary government and media attention.
“Consequently, JAC has decided that any further action regarding the indefinite strike will be deferred until after the national protests at which point a more informed decision will be made.”
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