The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities and Allied Institutions have given the Federal Government a seven-day deadline to resolve long-standing disputes over unpaid entitlements and unfair treatment of non-teaching staff in universities.
In a joint letter addressed to the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, on Monday, the unions decried what they described as the “unjust disbursement” of ₦50 billion in earned allowances, alongside the continued withholding of salaries and delayed implementation of salary increments.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the issues raised include: unjust distribution of ₦50 billion earned allowances; non-payment of withheld salaries and arrears of 25/35 percent salary increments; and the delay in renegotiating the 2009 FGN-NASU/SSANU agreements,” the letter partly read.
The document, signed by SSANU President, Muhammed Ibrahim, recalled earlier meetings with the government, including a July 4 session where a tripartite committee was expected to be set up to resolve the impasse.
The unions, however, accused the government of sidelining them while reaching an advanced stage of negotiations with the Academic Staff Union of Universities.
“Despite our repeated efforts to draw your attention to concerns affecting our members in the universities and inter-university centres, there appears to be nothing positive forthcoming from your office,” the unions said.
They warned that failure to act within seven days would leave them with no option but to embark on industrial action.
“If the government does not act, our members will commence a total and indefinite strike,” Ibrahim cautioned. “Ours will not be the ‘mother of all strikes’; it will be the grandfather of all strikes. When SSANU and NASU down tools, the system feels it.”
He further lamented that non-teaching university workers remain among the “worst hit financially, economically, and psychologically” despite their critical roles in sustaining the education sector.
The unions insisted that their demands are legitimate and accused the government of insincerity. “We must take our destinies into our hands,” Ibrahim added.
