The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has announced a one-month suspension of its ongoing strike. The decision came after the Federal Government partially settled the salary arrears owed to union members, issuing payment for one of the four months outstanding. Members of the unions had launched an indefinite strike on October 28, 2024, which effectively shut down operations across Nigerian universities.
SSANU Vice-President Abdussobur Salaam confirmed the partial payment, emphasizing, “They should pay for the four months. If they paid just one month, that’s just 25 per cent of what they owe us.”
A joint statement by SSANU National President Mohammed Ibrahim and NASU General Secretary Peters Adeyemi disclosed the terms of the temporary suspension. The government has committed to settling two months’ worth of the withheld salaries, with the second month scheduled to be paid by the end of November 2024. The unions, after extensive discussions and reassurances from the Federal Government and other stakeholders, directed members to resume work on Tuesday, November 5, 2024.
The statement outlined that several high-level discussions had taken place, involving the Minister of Education, the Minister of Finance, the Accountant-General, and the Department of State Services (DSS). It acknowledged the efforts of the new Minister of Education and the DSS leadership in reaching an “irrevocable commitment” from the government regarding payment schedules.
Union branch leaders have been instructed to hold joint congresses on Monday, November 4, 2024, across university campuses to update members on the latest developments and urge them to resume work the following day.
While acknowledging members’ solidarity and patience, the JAC statement highlighted that unresolved issues, such as the remaining two months’ unpaid salaries, N50 billion in earned allowances, 25/35 percent arrears, and wage awards, are still under discussion with the government. The unions are also pressing for the implementation of the 2009 agreements with the Federal Government, which aim to improve remuneration and address long-standing grievances over earned allowances and work conditions.
The protracted industrial dispute stems partly from the government’s enforcement of the ‘No Work, No Pay’ policy, invoked after university unions staged a prolonged strike in 2022. The unions reaffirmed their commitment to achieving lasting resolutions for their members, stressing that ongoing discussions will focus on comprehensive settlements to prevent future disruptions in the academic sector.
