SSANU, NASU Announce Nationwide Protest for Thursday Over Unfulfilled Demands

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) have announced a nationwide protest for Thursday. This one-day demonstration stems from the Federal Government’s perceived failure to address the long-standing demands of university workers.

Both unions, under the umbrella of their Joint Action Committee (JAC), said all university branches have been directed to mobilise members across campuses for the protest, which will feature rallies, placard displays, and press briefings to draw attention to their grievances.

The decision to embark on the protest was taken on October 6, after JAC reviewed what it called the Federal Government’s “unsatisfactory response” to a series of ultimatums issued earlier in the year.

The unresolved issues include:

• Alleged unjust disbursement of ₦50 billion Earned Allowances;
• Delay in renegotiating the 2009 FGN/NASU/SSANU Agreement;
• Non-payment of the outstanding two-month salaries;
• Non-payment of 25% and 35% salary arrears; and
• Non-remittance of third-party deductions from May and June 2022 salaries.

JAC said the government had been given ample time to act but failed to meet any of its commitments.

READ MORE:

• Appeal Court Halts Enforcement of Judgment Against ADC, Four Others
• Makinde Vows Safe Rescue of Oyo Pupils, Teachers
• Court Revokes Omoyele Sowore’s Bail
• Court Dismisses Yahaya Bello’s Application Challenging FCT High Court Jurisdiction 
• Gen. Rabe’s Wife Sustained Gunshot Wounds Before Rescue — DHQ

“Following two meetings held with the Ministry of Education’s Joint Consultative Committee, our demands remain unresolved despite the 14-day extension of our ultimatum,” the unions stated.

In a memo titled “Commencement of Protest Actions” dated October 6, and jointly signed by Prince Peters Adeyemi, NASU General Secretary, and Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, SSANU National President, the unions instructed all branch leaders to convene joint congresses on Wednesday, October 8, to prepare members for Thursday’s mass action.

“All members of NASU and SSANU in both federal and state-owned universities are expected to strictly comply with this directive. Your cooperation and adherence are essential to achieving success in our demands,” the memo read.

The unions said they were left with no choice but to take to the streets after “several unfulfilled promises” by the government, despite multiple meetings and consultations.