NASU, SSANU Threaten Strike Over Unpaid Benefits

The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities have given the Federal Government a seven-day ultimatum over unpaid allowances and withheld salaries.

The unions said their members in universities and inter-university centres have been left behind despite previous agreements.

The dispute began after a June 18 letter pushed the Ministry of Education to call a meeting on July 4. At that meeting, a decision was made to create a joint committee involving the ministry, the National Universities Commission and the unions to resolve how to share the N50 billion earned allowances. The unions now say nothing has come out of that effort.

They argue that university staff received less than they were due and that inter-university centre staff were completely ignored. Added to this, the government has yet to pay outstanding arrears of the 25 and 35 percent salary increments. The long-delayed renegotiation of the 2009 agreement with non-teaching staff has also been left unfinished.

According to the unions, the government has shown willingness to complete talks with the Academic Staff Union of Universities but continues to leave non-teaching staff waiting. They believe this unequal treatment has worsened the frustration among their members.

The workers say they have made repeated efforts to get the attention of the authorities but their complaints remain unaddressed. For them, the failure of the government to act has left staff with no option but to take tougher steps.

If their demands are not met by September 22, they plan to launch a series of industrial actions that could disrupt activities across universities. The unions are pressing for full payment of allowances, release of withheld salaries and fair treatment in agreements that affect all staff in the education sector.

The warning from NASU and SSANU adds to the growing labour unrest in the country as workers push back against unpaid entitlements and delayed reforms. Many believe the coming days will determine whether universities and inter-university centres face another round of strikes.