ABUJA (Sundiata Post) – In a move aimed at drawing attention to their grievances, non-teaching staff members of Nigerian universities staged a protest in Abuja on Tuesday.
The protest was organised by the Joint Action Committee (JAC), comprising the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU).
The unions warned that unless urgent action is taken, the demonstrations may escalate to a complete shutdown of university operations nationwide, disrupting academic activities.
JAC had directed its members to hold protests nationwide over the weekend, following failed negotiations with the federal government over withheld salaries and unresolved grievances.
The demonstration, which began at the University of Abuja, Gwagwalada campus, culminated at the main campus on Airport Road, where protesters presented their list of demands to the university management.
Protesters carried placards displaying messages such as: “Non-Teaching Staff are Important Stakeholders in the University,” “Pay us our sweat,” and “Where is our earned allowance?”
Addressing the press, JAC Chairman, Abuja Chapter, Nurudeen Yusuf, stated that the demonstration was a result of the government’s repeated failure to honour agreements dating back to March 2022. This includes the non-payment of four months’ salaries withheld when members embarked on strike in 2022.
He referenced President Bola Tinubu’s 2023 campaign promise to eradicate strikes in Nigerian universities. He noted that after his election, Tinubu directed the payment of the withheld salaries and for universities to be excluded from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).
Yusuf, who is also the SSANU Chairman, Abuja Chapter, expressed disappointment that despite these directives and the unions’ persistent efforts, the government has not fulfilled its commitments.
SSANU, NASU protest four months withheld salaries, threaten strike
SSANU, NASU protest four months withheld salaries, threaten strike
“You may recall that on 18 March 2024, we invited you when we embarked on a one-week protest to draw the government’s attention to issues bordering on our welfare and university education in general, most especially, the payment of our withheld four months’ salaries,” he said.
“This is most vexatious and provoking considering that the same presidential directive was selectively implemented to the advantage of our teaching counterparts – the academics.”
He added: “A background to these issues was that the non-teaching unions of SSANU and NASU, under the aegis of JAC, in March 2022 embarked on a strike as a result of the government’s repeated failure to abide by and implement the many agreements (in the last count, seven) which it freely entered with the unions.
“This repeated reneging on agreements is eroding the trust of our members in the government and its officials, and one wonders if they are truly committed to qualitative education for the children of the masses.
“However, our hope was renewed when the present administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, during the campaigns, assured all Nigerians that there will be no more strikes in Nigerian universities.
“The president followed up with his campaign promises when, in October 2023, he directed that four months of our withheld salaries be paid and that universities should be excluded from the IPPIS.
“Nine months after this presidential directive, where is the money?! All we see is selective, George Orwellian, implementation; ‘all animals are equal, but some are more equal than others’.”
Yusuf warned: “Today’s protest signals the beginning of a series of union actions which will culminate in the total shutdown of all universities in Nigeria.”
He urged the Minister of Education to take the situation seriously and avoid ignoring the issue, emphasising that the impending actions are both preventable and avoidable.
“We equally call on the Minister of Labour and Productivity to use her good office to prevent industrial disharmony and disaffection in our universities, causing unnecessary disruption in our academic calendar and activities,” he said.
“We regret any inconvenience this action may cause our students, parents, and guardians. We equally feel the pain!
“We call on members and leaders of the National Assembly, royal fathers, and opinion leaders to intervene and call on the Minister of Education to treat all citizens and staff equally,” he added.
