SSANU, NASU set date for nationwide protest
SSANU, NASU set date for nationwide protest
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) have announced plans to embark on a nationwide protest on Thursday, October 9, to express their displeasure over the Federal Government’s continued neglect of their long-standing demands.
In a joint statement released under the banner of the Joint Action Committee (JAC), both unions instructed their branches nationwide to mobilize members for a one-day demonstration featuring campus rallies, placard displays, and press briefings.
The directive, contained in a memo signed by NASU General Secretary, Prince Peters Adeyemi, and SSANU National President, Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, followed a meeting held on Monday, October 6, where the unions reviewed the government’s unsatisfactory response to earlier ultimatums.
Among the unresolved issues are the alleged unjust disbursement of ₦50 billion earned allowances, delay in renegotiating the 2009 FGN/NASU-SSANU Agreement, non-payment of two months’ outstanding salaries, and arrears of 25% and 35% salary increases. The unions are also demanding payment of third-party deductions for May and June 2022.
The JAC recalled that it had issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Federal Government on September 15, later extended by 14 days, which expired on October 6 without meaningful progress.
Despite meetings held on September 19 and October 6 with the Minister of Education’s Joint Consultative Committee, little progress was made. Our demands remain unresolved despite extensions and engagements,” the circular stated.
The unions therefore directed all branches in federal and state universities to hold joint congresses on Wednesday, October 8, in preparation for the protest the following day.
“All NASU and SSANU members in both federal and state-owned universities are directed to fully comply with this directive. Your cooperation and active participation are crucial to the success of this action,” the JAC stated.
The planned demonstration represents the latest chapter in the ongoing dispute between the university non-academic unions and the Federal Government over unresolved welfare issues and the non-implementation of previous agreements.
