Last week, SSANU and NASU initiated a 7-day warning strike to protest the federal government’s withholding of salaries. They also criticized the government for prioritizing the payment of withheld salaries to ASUU over non-academic staff.
Looking back, all unions went on an eight-month strike in 2022 to push for various demands, including improved welfare. Although President Buhari’s administration enforced a ‘No Work, No Pay policy,’ President Bola Tinubu approved the release of four months’ worth of withheld salaries last October.
SSANU and NASU accused the Federal Government of unfair treatment and discrimination for not compensating them like their academic counterparts.
In a circular sent to branch chairmen at public universities nationwide, SSANU President Mohammed Ibrahim instructed SSANU and NASU members to resume work starting Monday, March 25, 2024.
He praised their unwavering dedication to the strike’s cause and assured members that efforts to secure the withheld salaries would continue.
The unions pledged to maintain “meaningful engagement with relevant Government Agencies in both the Executive and Legislative Arms” and inform members of future courses of action.
The impact of strike actions by university staff is acutely felt by students. With administrative activities suspended, hostels closed, and essential services disrupted, students face challenges attending lectures and fulfilling their academic obligations.
In light of this, it prompts the question: are strikes the most effective means of drawing attention to the needs of educational institutions? Nevertheless, we commend the non-academic staff for promptly ending the strikes and exploring alternative avenues to address their grievances.
