Members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) on Monday, initiated a nationwide strike, citing grievances over unfair treatment and salary disparities by the Federal Government.
Truthlive news recalls that last week, the unions had issued a stern warning, threatening to disrupt hostel operations and electricity supply across universities if their demands were not met by today, March 18, 2024.
Muhammed Ibrahim, the National President of SSANU, emphasized that their members, including Vice Chancellors, registrars, and bursars, have not received salary arrears from 2022.
In response, the Education Minister Prof. Tahir Mamman claimed to be unaware of SSANU/NASU’s planned strike.
During an interview on Channels Television’s Morning Show, Ibrahim confirmed the commencement of the strike, stating that all administrative functions within public universities have been halted as workers from various departments have withdrawn their services.
Expressing disappointment, Ibrahim noted the lack of official engagement from government representatives, despite some unofficial communication. He also questioned the government’s failure to fully comply with President Bola Tinubu’s directive regarding the payment of 2022 arrears.
Additionally, Ibrahim criticized the Minister of Labour, Nkiruka Onyejeocha, for failing to reach out to the aggrieved unions despite issuing a seven-day notice last Monday. He contrasted this with the responsiveness of the former Labour Minister, Chris Ngige.
Amidst the ongoing strike, Ibrahim emphasized that the unions would convene to decide their next course of action should the government continue to disregard their demands after the seven-day warning period.