University unions threaten indefinite strike over unpaid salaries

Tertiary institutions in the country are about to suffer another spell of unwanted break as the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) have announced plans to embark on an indefinite strike if their outstanding salaries are not paid within three weeks.
The unions gave the Federal Government three weeks to clear up their outstanding and implement the 2009 agreements or they will withdraw their services and shut down universities across the country indefinitely.
Chief among the unions’ demands are the payment of four months withheld salaries, improved remuneration, earned allowances, and the implementation of the 2009 agreements with the government.
The unions, in a statement signed by SSANU President, Mohammed Ibrahim and NASU General Secretary Peters Adeyemi said the government was given a 10-day grace period, which expired on July 26, 2024, to pay the outstanding salaries, threatening a shutdown of the universities if the government fails to pay.
They said six weeks after the grace period elapsed, the government has still not met their demands.
Ibrahim stated, “In light of this, we are informing the government that the National JAC of NASU and SSANU, during its meeting on September 12, 2024, has issued government a final three-week ultimatum from Tuesday, September 17, 2024, to pay the four months withheld salaries and implement the August 20, 2022 agreement.
“Failing this, our members may be compelled to embark on an indefinite strike after the ultimatum expires.”
The statement further noted that President Bola Tinubu had approved the payment of the withheld salaries on July 18, 2024, following discussions with the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress.
He added: “We have reliable information that the President approved the payment of the four months’ withheld salaries as early as July 18, 2024, during the National Minimum Wage meeting with the NLC and TUC leadership.
“More recently, we heard that he approved the actual release of the payment. Unfortunately, despite these approvals, nothing has materialized.”