Varsity Workers Suspend Strike

The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has announced a temporary suspension of its indefinite strike.

The strike began on October 28, 2024, in response to long-standing grievances against the federal government’s lack of response to the unions’ demands, especially the non-payment of withheld salaries.

Several pressing issues, including outstanding allowances and pending wage awards, spurred the NASU and SSANU strike.

During the strike, JAC engaged in extensive discussions with government representatives, including the new minister of education, the minister of finance, and officials from the Department of State Services (DSS).

According to a statement by NASU General Secretary Peters Adeyemi and SSANU President Comrade Haruna Mohammed, the talks resulted in the federal government’s commitment to pay two months of the four-month withheld salaries. The first month’s payment will be completed by the end of October, and the second is scheduled for the end of November.

Following these commitments, the JAC leadership has directed NASU and SSANU members to resume work on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, while suspending the strike for one month to monitor the government’s adherence to its promises.

The unions directed branch leaders to inform members of the developments.

The suspension, however, does not signal a full resolution, as issues regarding two remaining months of withheld salaries, N50 billion in earned allowances, and wage adjustments still need to be discussed.

JAC leaders appreciated members’ determination during the strike and urged continued unity as negotiations with the government proceeded.

The statement reads in part, “During this industrial struggle, we have had several extensive and exhaustive deliberations with the officials of the federal government of Nigeria, including the new minister of education, the minister of finance, the outgoing Minister of state for education, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, the Accountant-General of the Federation, and the leadership of the Department of State Services.

These high-level engagements culminated in extracting an irrevocable commitment from the Federal Government that the two months of the four months withheld salaries would be paid in staggered form: “One month by the end of October 2024 (which has largely been done), then the second month to be paid by the end of November 2024.”

“Arising from the above and given the level of commitment exhibited by the new minister and the leadership of the Department of State Services, the leadership of JAC, after several contacts and other patriotic considerations, at this moment directs that the ongoing indefinite strike be suspended for one- month effective Tuesday, 5th November 2024.

Branch leaders of both NASU and SSANU are directed to convene a joint Congress on their respective campuses on Monday, November 4th, 2024, inform members of these developments, and urge them to resume work on Tuesday, November 5th, 2024.