Striking non-academic staff of Nigerian universities have announced the suspension of their indefinite strike, promising a return to normalcy on campuses starting tomorrow, November 5.
The strike had been led by 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) over the non-payment of withheld salaries.
According to a circular signed by Prince Peters Adeyemi, General Secretary of NASU, and Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, National President of SSANU, the suspension will last one month while the unions await the Federal Government’s payment of one more month’s salary, in addition to the month already disbursed.
“We commend our members in the universities for their unwavering resolve and support throughout this strike,” the circular read. “The strike, which began on October 28, was in response to the government’s insensitivity to our members’ legitimate demands.”
The government had agreed to pay 50 percent of the four months of withheld salaries, with one month’s payment already received last weekend.
However, the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) remains firm in its decision to proceed with a nationwide protest if the government does not fulfill its commitment to pay 50 percent of the withheld salaries by November 13. NAAT President Ibeji Nwokoma confirmed that members had only received one out of three expected months’ pay and called for further action.
The JAC noted that they have engaged in multiple discussions with federal officials, including the Minister of Education, the Minister of Finance, and the Department of State Services, in hopes of a resolution.
The decision to suspend the strike is expected to provide temporary relief to students and staff as academic activities resume across universities nationwide.
