SSANU Threatens Nationwide Protest as FG Releases ASUU Withheld Salaries, Excluding SSANU Members
By: Shabach Bako
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has issued a stern warning, threatening to halt activities in universities nationwide if the Federal Government fails to release the withheld salaries of its members. This comes in the wake of the government’s decision to commence the payment of withheld salaries, which only includes the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
The excluded SSANU members express frustration over what they perceive as a grave injustice, highlighting their role in a previous eight-month strike in 2022. While ASUU’s salaries are being released, SSANU insists that they too deserve payment for the period during which their salaries were withheld.
National President of SSANU, Mr. Mohammed Ibrahim, expressed discontent, emphasizing that the union was not opposed to ASUU’s payment but insisted that fairness required both unions to be treated equally. Ibrahim raised concerns about potential unrest on university campuses if SSANU members are not paid their backlog of withheld salaries.
The exclusion of SSANU from the salary release has heightened tension across campuses, prompting the union to escalate the matter to the Chief of Staff, Minister of Education, and the Nigeria Labour Congress. SSANU members are set to convene to deliberate on the issue, with Ibrahim hinting at possible disruptions if their demands are not addressed.
National Vice-President of SSANU, Abdussobur Salaam, pointed out the Joint Action Committee’s growing impatience, warning that the wheel of administration and corporate governance might grind to a halt if their demands are not met.
In a related development, ASUU Abuja zone mourned the death of 46 academics in various universities. The union attributed these untimely deaths to the harsh economic conditions exacerbated by poor remuneration and unfavorable working conditions for lecturers. The statement cited the recent loss of Professor Johnson Oyero, a renowned academic at the Federal University of Technology, Minna, emphasizing the urgent need for improved healthcare and better working conditions.
The outcome of SSANU’s impending meeting and the government’s response to their demands will play a crucial role in determining the stability of activities in universities nationwide.
