Universities across Nigeria might be in for a lockdown as the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) embarks on an indefinite strike on Monday.
The Joint Action Committee (JAC), which represents non-teaching university staff, has directed members nationwide to participate. The strike is driven by the government’s failure to pay four months of withheld salaries, which were stopped during a joint industrial action with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) under the Buhari administration.
The indefinite strike by NASU and SSANU will begin on Sunday night, October 27, 2024, as announced in a circular to all branch chairmen.
Initially scheduled for October 23, the strike was postponed to align with the Trade Group Council meeting and ensure effective coordination across both unions.
The circular, signed by NASU’s General Secretary Prince Peters Adeyemi and SSANU President Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, clarified that this timing change aims for both unions to proceed in unison.
According to the circular, “It is on record that the JAC of NASU and SSANU has issued multiple notices to the government to redress this ugly situation. However, the sincerity of the government to our cause is in doubt.
“However, the Trade Group Council Meeting of NASU branches in the Universities and Inter-University Centres has been scheduled to hold on Wednesday 23rd and Thursday 24th October 2024 at Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, and the arrangements for the meeting already concluded.
“In view of this, the leadership of JAC has decided that the effective date for the strike be moved to midnight of Sunday, 27th October 2024, to allow the Branch Officers of NASU to be on ground before commencing the strike.
“We had to do this strategic change in timing for effective coordination and for both Unions to be on the same page.
“We express our deepest appreciation for your steadfast commitment to the leadership and we affirm our determination to persist in this struggle until ultimate victory is secured.”
Get instant and latest news updates via Our WhatsApp Community, X/Twitter or Google News online channel.