University workers across Nigeria have declared a nationwide protest set to commence on Thursday, July 18, 2024, in response to the government’s failure to release their four months’ withheld salaries.
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The protest is being organized by the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), operating under the Joint Action Committee (JAC).
The decision follows a breakdown in negotiations with government officials.
In a circular jointly signed by NASU General Secretary Peters Adeyemi and SSANU President Mohammed Ibrahim, the unions directed all branches to hold a mandatory general meeting on Monday, July 8, 2024, to discuss the government’s perceived insensitivity to their plight.
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The circular detailed the unions’ frustration with the federal government’s inaction despite numerous meetings with the Minister of Education and the Minister of Labour and Employment.
“The National body of the Joint Action Committee of NASU and SSANU met on Thursday, July 4, 2024, to appraise the current situation regarding the withheld four months’ salaries and other grievances of our members in University and Inter-University Centres,” the circular read.
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The circular further explained that a meeting with the Minister of Education and other top officials did not yield any commitment towards resolving the issue of withheld salaries.
An additional meeting with the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment also proved fruitless, as the Minister of State was absent.
“In view of this disappointment and failure of the government to address the grievances of NASU and SSANU, JAC has decided on a series of industrial actions,” the circular continued.
The planned actions include:
1. Mandatory General Meetings: All branches of NASU and SSANU will hold meetings on Monday, July 8, 2024, to inform members about the government’s lack of action.
2. One-Day Branch Protests: A one-day protest will be held at each branch on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, with full participation from all members and media coverage.
3. National Protest in Abuja: A national protest will take place in Abuja on Thursday, July 18, 2024, after which JAC will announce the date for a potential strike.
The circular thanked members for their anticipated cooperation in the upcoming actions
