The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has initiated a 7-day warning strike in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Members of SSANU at the University of Abuja took part in the strike action by blocking the entrance to the university gate on Monday.
The strike action follows the directive from the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and SSANU. The JAC instructed members to commence the warning strike in protest against the non-payment of salaries and other unresolved issues.
As part of the strike, there will be a complete shutdown of activities in all universities, including the closure of water treatment plants and clinics. Additionally, staff involved in proposed matriculation ceremonies have been instructed to refrain from participating in any activities.
President Bola Tinubu’s recent directive to pay university workers who had their salaries withheld during the 2022 prolonged strike, under the “No work, no pay” policy, did not include non-teaching staff such as SSANU and NASU members. Despite repeated appeals to the government, no action has been taken to address their grievances.
The ultimatum issued by the JAC expired without any response from the government, prompting the decision to commence the warning strike on March 18. In a joint statement signed by Prince Peters Adeyemi, General Secretary of NASU, and Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, SSANU President, it was lamented that government officials had not taken any positive steps to resolve the issues raised.
Titled “Commencement of a 7-day warning strike,” the statement reiterated the unions’ demand for the payment of withheld salaries and expressed disappointment at the government’s lack of response to their appeals. Despite numerous notices, the government has failed to address the concerns of SSANU and NASU members, leading to the decision to initiate the warning strike.