Strike Update: Salary Standoff - FG, University Unions in Crunch Talks

University Unions, FG Hold Crucial Talks

The Federal Government had previously invoked the 'No Work, No Pay' policy...

University Strike Update: Non-academic staff unions protest unpaid salaries, poor treatment. Disruptions hit University of Benin, Federal University Lokoja, and more.

The Federal Ministry of Education has taken swift action to address the indefinite strike declared by the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU). On Monday, October 28, the Ministry reached out to the leaders of the Joint Action Committee of NASU and SSANU to initiate dialogue and resolve the issues behind the strike.

The strike, which began on October 28, has resulted in the closure of federal universities nationwide. The unions are demanding the payment of four months' withheld salaries, improved remuneration, earned allowances, and implementation of the 2009 agreements with the government. The strike was sparked after an ultimatum issued by the unions expired without the government meeting their demands.

Notably, the University of Port Harcourt, University of Lagos, and Obafemi Awolowo University, among others, have been shut down due to the strike. The non-academic staff at these institutions have been grounded, with monitoring committees set up to ensure compliance. The strike has also affected students, with many expressing concerns about the impact on their academic activities.

Demands of NASU and SSANU:

• Payment of four months' withheld salaries
• Improved remuneration
• Earned allowances
• Implementation of 2009 agreements with the government

The Federal Government had previously invoked the 'No Work, No Pay' policy during a prolonged strike by university-based unions in 2022. However, President Tinubu directed the payment of four out of eight months withheld salaries for academic staff in October 2023. The directive did not address the non-teaching staff, leading to concerns about selective treatment.

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) have vowed to continue their indefinite strike until the Federal Government meets their demands, including settling unpaid salaries and implementing the 2009 agreement. The unions are unhappy about the government's selective payment of withheld salaries, where academic staff were compensated in February 2023, leaving non-teaching staff feeling marginalized.

SSANU's National President, Mohammed Ibrahim, and NASU's General Secretary, Peters Adeyemi, emphasized that the strike will persist until their grievances are addressed. The situation escalated due to the government's 'No Work, No Pay' policy during the 2022 university unions' strike, which excluded non-teaching staff from compensation. Key demands include:

Payment of Withheld Salaries: Four months' salaries owed to SSANU and NASU members 

Improved Remuneration: Better pay for non-teaching staff 

Implementation of 2009 Agreement: Renegotiation of the agreement, overdue since 2022 

The unions had issued a three-week ultimatum to the government, which expired, leading to the indefinite strike. The strike has already affected university operations, with protests and blockades reported at the University of Abuja.

On the first day of the indefinite strike, Mohammed Ibrahim, the national president of SSANU, revealed that the Federal Ministry of Education had reached out for an informal meeting to discuss the ongoing strike. However, Ibrahim was unavailable for the proposed discussion, which was initiated by the Minister of State for Education on behalf of the incoming minister. This development came after SSANU and NASU vowed to shut down all university activities nationwide until the Federal Government addressed their demands, including the payment of four months' withheld salaries.

The strike's impact varied across universities, with the University of Lagos reporting limited activity due to a scheduled holida. In contrast, Obafemi Awolowo University recorded about 55% compliance, largely because of previously planned activities that couldn't be canceled. Meanwhile, at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Felix Adunbi, the SSANU chairman, emphasized that members were instructed to refrain from all administrative duties until the government met their demands.

The strike was sparked by the government's failure to address the unions' grievances, including the payment of withheld salaries, which has been pending since 2022. The Federal Government had previously invoked the 'No Work, No Pay' policy during a prolonged strike by university-based unions in 2022. However, President Tinubu's directive to pay four of the eight months withheld salaries for academic staff in October 2023 excluded non-teaching staff, fueling concerns about selective treatment.

The ongoing strike by non-academic staff unions has severely impacted University of Benin's operations, with the library, health center, and sports facilities grinding to a halt. Union leaders expressed dismay over the government's failure to release approved funds, despite presidential approval.

At Federal University Lokoja, the strike resulted in a complete shutdown, as union members protested the government's perceived unfair treatment and unresolved payment issues. They highlighted discrepancies in salary handling, comparing their treatment unfavorably to that of academic staff.

The strike underscores the deepening tensions between university staff unions and the Federal Government. With key demands unmet, including payment of withheld salaries and improved remuneration, the unions remain resolute. The strike's continuation threatens academic activities, emphasizing the urgent need for a resolution to prevent further disruptions in Nigeria's education sector.