After a week of disrupted activities, the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) have concluded their 7-day warning strike, directing members to return to work on Monday, March 25, 2024.
SSANU President, Mohammed Ibrahim, conveyed the decision in a circular addressed to branch chairmen in public universities nationwide.
He emphasized the need for members to resume duties following the conclusion of the strike.
“Our correspondents who visited public universities across the country observed that nothing moved administratively within any public university in Nigeria as hostels and varsity gates were locked up and electricity supply cut off,” the circular stated.
The strike, initiated on Monday, March 18, 2024, centered on withheld salaries, prompting workers in various departments such as registry, bursary, works and maintenance, security, and students’ affairs to withdraw their services.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the Federal Government’s handling of salary payments, both SSANU and NASU accused authorities of favoring the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) over non-academic unions.
The unions cited a history of grievances, including an 8-month strike in 2022 and subsequent issues related to salary payments.
Following an evaluation of the strike’s impact, SSANU and NASU acknowledged the overwhelming participation of members and their dedication to the cause.
Despite ending the warning strike, the unions affirmed their commitment to on-going negotiations and promised to update members on future actions.
Labour Minister, Nkiruka Onyejeocha, criticized the unions’ actions, describing them as a disregard for government efforts to address their concerns.
The conclusion of the strike brings relief to students and staff, signalling a return to normalcy within Nigerian universities.
However, the underlying issues regarding salary payments and union grievances remain unresolved, leaving the door open for potential future disruptions.
