Members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities and the Non-Academic Staff Union have begun a nationwide strike today, Monday 18 March 2024 over alleged unfair treatment and disparity in the payment of salaries by the Federal Government.
Recall that last week, the unions threatened to shut down hostels and power supply in universities across the country if the Federal Government fails to address its demands before , March 18, 2024.
According to the National President of SSANU, Muhammed Ibrahim, who sated that his members, including Vice Chancellors, registrars, and bursars, have not been paid 2022 arrears, earlier told journalists that the two unions were set for their nationwide strike.
Meanwhile, the Minister for Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, maintained that he was unaware of SSANU/NASU’s planned strike.
While speaking during the Channels Television’s Morning Show programme, Ibrahim however announced that the strike had commenced.
“Definitely, it (the strike) has already started”. He added.
He stressed that beginning from Monday 18 March 2024, the unions in the registry, bursary, works and maintenance, security, and students’ affairs have withdrawn their services and nothing moves within the administration of any public university in Nigeria and that will be the case for the next seven days until and unless the needful is done.
The SSANU president averred that no government representative has reached out to the non-academic unions, stating that though some have reached out unofficially, their assurances cannot be relied upon.
The Union leader wondered why some government officials would not fully comply with President Bola Tinubu’s instruction to pay the union their 2022 arrears.
Ibrahim added that the Minister of Labour , Nkiruka Onyejeocha, has not reached out to the aggrieved unions despite issuing a seven-day notice days ago.
He said this gesture was a departure from the responsiveness of the ex-Labour Minister Chris Ngige.
He also stated that the unions would go back to their toolbox and decide the next line of action should the government fail to heed the unions’ demands after the seven-day warning strike, which started today.
