The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) have issued a three-week ultimatum to the Federal Government, demanding the payment of four months’ withheld salaries. The unions are also pushing for improved remuneration, earned allowances, and the implementation of the 2009 agreement with the government.
In a joint statement, SSANU President, Mohammed Ibrahim, and NASU General Secretary, Prince Peters Adeyemi, said, “It is in light of the above that we inform the government of the decision of the National JAC of NASU and SSANU, at the meeting held on 12th September 2024, that the government is given a final three-week ultimatum from Tuesday, 17th September 2024, to pay the four months’ withheld salaries and implement the agreement reached on 20th August 2022. Failing this, our members may be forced to embark on indefinite strike action at the expiration of the ultimatum.”
This ultimatum follows the expiration of a 10-day grace period, which ended on July 26, 2024, without the government fulfilling the unions’ demands. Despite President Bola Tinubu’s approval of the payment during a National Minimum Wage meeting, Ibrahim stated, “We have it on good authority that Mr. President approved the payment of the four months’ withheld salaries as far back as 18th July 2024… Regrettably, despite these approvals, nothing has been forthcoming.”
The unions have made it clear that if the government fails to meet their demands within the stipulated timeframe, they will embark on an indefinite strike, which could potentially disrupt activities in Nigerian universities.
