Federal universities across the country were shut down on Monday in compliance with the indefinite strike called by the Joint Action Committee of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities.
On Sunday night, SSANU and NASU vowed to indefinitely shut down all university activities across the country, starting Monday, until the Federal Government paid the four months withheld salaries.
A statement made available to The PUNCH on Sunday and signed by the National President of SSANU, Mohammed Ibrahim, and the General Secretary of NASU, Peters Adeyemi, said the ultimatum it gave the Federal Government over its withheld salaries expired Sunday midnight.
The unions are demanding, among others, the payment of the four-month withheld salaries, improved remuneration, earned allowances, and implementation of the 2009 agreements with the government.
The Federal Government had, through the Ministry of Labour and Employment, invoked the ‘No Work, No Pay’ policy when the four university-based unions embarked on a prolonged strike in 2022.
Last October, President Bola Tinubu directed payment of four of the eight months withheld salaries for the academic staff. It was finally paid in February.
The directive was silent about the non-teaching staff, raising concerns as to their fate, a development the unions described as selective.
The Federal Ministry of Education on Monday reached out to the leaders of the university workers’ union, following the declaration of an indefinite strike.
Speaking on Monday with our correspondent in Abuja, Ibrahim noted that the ministry reached out to him requesting a meeting.
“Well, I will say unofficial (meeting) because there is no official communication to that effect,” Ibrahim told The PUNCH.
“The Minister of State for Education reached out via a phone call and noted that the call was on the instance of the incoming minister, requesting for a meeting today in Abuja but because I was unavailable, the meeting couldn’t be held.
“As you know most of us are not based in Abuja and all of that.”
According to Ibrahim, the compliance observed in universities on Monday likely prompted the Federal Ministry of Education to request a meeting.
On Monday, not much activity was recorded at the University of Lagos, as the school was on holiday.
A monitoring exercise conducted by our correspondent revealed that although the University of Lagos was on holiday, SSANU and NASU members still adhered to the strike directive.
Speaking to our correspondent, the branch chairman of SSANU at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Mr K.T. Fashola, stated that there was approximately 55 per cent compliance in the school, due to previously scheduled events planned for Monday.
“Yes, our members complied at about 55 per cent because today (Monday) is the first day, and many activities had already been arranged that the school could not cancel. There is compliance.”
Chairman, SSANU, Federal University Technology, Akure, Mr Felix Adunbi, explained that the body held its congress in alignment with the national directive, and they fully concurred with that position.
“Our members have been instructed to return home until the Federal Government takes appropriate action.
“NASU had directed its members to stay at home since last (Sunday) night, but SSANU convened its congress this (Monday) morning to communicate the national message.
“Afterward, everyone returned to their respective homes, and all administrative duties have been suspended until further notice,” Adunbi said, urging the government to act honourably.
He added, “The President approved the necessary funds last year, and ASUU was subsequently paid.
“We have organised multiple protests regarding this issue. Despite this, we still don’t understand why the Ministry of Finance is withholding these funds.
“We implore the government to fulfil its commitment. If the President has approved, why is there a delay? The Ministry of Finance, the agency responsible for these payments, must act swiftly to release our funds.”
At the University of Benin, activities were disrupted on Monday following the strike.
In a joint congress held at the sports complex, Ugbowo campus of the university, the leadership of the unions said a monitoring committee had been constituted to ensure compliance by those affected.
Activities in the library, health centre and sports complex were closed to students.
At the school gate, private security outfits contracted by the management were seen at work.
Speaking at the meeting, the chairman of the UNIBEN branch of NASU, Anthony Igbinosa, said, “The President said they should give us 50 per cent of what they owe us, which is two months, so, we gladly left and happily told our people that we were expecting two months salary and let us start from somewhere.
“However, from the 18th of July till date is over three months, we are told that it is the Minister of Finance that is sitting on the President’s directive. But if the President is serious, will an appointee be sitting on his directive?”
His SSANU counterpart, Broderick Osewa, said, “To ensure compliance, we have decided that we should commence and there is a monitoring team that will go round and we will make sure that there is total compliance in our university.”
Both bodies shut down the Federal University Lokoja, Kogi State, following the nationwide strike.
Activities were paralysed at the university on Monday with the institution’s campus deserted.
Addressing journalists at the Felele campus of FUL after a joint emergency Congress, SSANU chairman, Federal University Lokoja, Adedeji Suara, noted, “We don’t like the way the Federal Government is treating us. In 2022, we went on strike, and our salaries were withheld for four months. Since that particular time, up till now, the Federal Government has not paid our salaries, despite the fact that our sister union, ASUU, was paid 50 per cent of their own withheld salaries.
“The President has magnanimously said that our four-month salaries should be paid, but the people we are dealing with in the system raised a memo for two months.
“The two months we are talking about, up till now, we have yet to get anything. Our four-month salaries should be paid. When they pay us, we will go back to work.”
Meanwhile, the SSANU and NASU branches of the University of Ilorin will hold a joint congress today to assess the strike.
The Public Relations Officer of SSANU, UNILORIN chapter, Segun Alabi, disclosed this to The PUNCH in Ilorin, Kwara State on Monday.
Alabi said, “We will hold a congress at the gate of the University of Ilorin at 8am tomorrow (Tuesday) where we will take a decision on the strike.”
The President of the National Association of Nigerian Students, Lucky Emonefe, said the association was not in support of the strike, adding that shutting down schools would disrupt students’ academic progress.
He maintained that students were in school to complete their studies.
Emonefe said, “We urge senior and non-academic staff to consider the interests of Nigerian students when taking such actions.
“Strikes can ultimately affect our academic timetable, leading to longer durations for students to complete their education.”
He called on the government to promptly address the unions’ requests and work toward a resolution.
“While we do not condone the government’s neglect of salary payments, we advocate for an amicable resolution. The government should engage in dialogue to address the grievances of senior staff and non-academic workers. Strikes should not be seen as a solution; rather, constructive discussions are necessary for finding resolutions.
“It’s important to note that when unions like ASUU and NASU face issues, it ultimately impacts Nigerian students, not the government. The students bear the brunt of these disruptions, and any delays in resolving these matters directly affect us. Therefore, we appeal to both the government and labour unions to consider the consequences of their actions on students.
“Nigerian students are affected. While the issues will eventually be resolved and payments made, it is the students who bear the consequences of these disruptions. We appeal to both the government and labour unions to consider the impact of their decisions on those who are truly affected.”
(Punch)