The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has called for urgent reforms in Nigeria’s labour negotiation framework to reduce reliance on strikes and ensure enforceable agreements between unions and the government.
Speaking at the union’s leadership retreat in Abuja yesterday, SSANU national president, Comrade Mohammed Haruna Ibrahim, stressed the need for alternative advocacy strategies to address the declining effectiveness of strike actions.
According to him, while strikes have historically been a powerful tool for labour unions, they have lost much of their impact due to government apathy, member fatigue, and negative public perception.
The SSANU president noted that prolonged industrial actions often fail to yield meaningful results and weaken unions’ bargaining power.
To address these challenges, Ibrahim urged SSANU leaders to explore more strategic and sustainable alternatives to secure better outcomes for university staff without prolonged disruptions.
A key proposal discussed at the retreat was the establishment of binding arbitration mechanisms to resolve labour disputes efficiently and enforce agreements, pre-strike mediation to resolve disputes early, and implementing time-bound industrial actions to minimise disruption while amplifying pressure.
As part of the reform proposal, the union also aimed to bolster public relations strategies to rally citizen support and counter government indifference.
Ibrahim argued that a stronger negotiation framework would ensure that agreements reached between unions and the government are respected and implemented in a timely manner.
He said, “A robust framework for negotiations will bridge the gap between promises and action, securing the rights and welfare of our members for the long term.
To secure lasting agreements, we must explore structured negotiation frameworks rooted in accountability, dialogue, and global best practices.”
He further called for more transparent, enforceable mechanisms that hold all parties accountable while fostering dialogue, transparency and mutual respect.
Regarding global best practices, Ibrahim noted how unions abroad treat strikes as a last resort while prioritising mediation and strategic communication.
The retreat, themed on redefining leadership and member welfare, ended with a resolve to prioritise negotiation reforms, member-centric transparency, and enforceable agreements.
Ibrahim challenged the union leaders to think boldly and act decisively,
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