University workers in Nigeria will begin a nationwide protest on Thursday, July 18, 2024, over their four months of withheld salaries.
The workers, represented by the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), announced this decision after talks with government officials broke down.
The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of NASU and SSANU disclosed their plans in a circular signed by NASU General Secretary Peters Adeyemi and SSANU President Mohammed Ibrahim. The circular directed all branches of the unions to hold a general meeting on Monday, July 8, 2024, to inform members about the government’s lack of response to their issues.
“The National body of the Joint Action Committee of NASU and SSANU met on Thursday, 4th July, 2024 to appraise and take position on the current situation in respect of the withheld four months’ salaries and other grievances of our members,” the circular stated.
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The JAC mentioned that their meetings with the Minister of Education, the Minister of State for Education, and other top officials had not yielded any commitment to resolving the salary issue.
“Unfortunately, the engagement with the Minister of Education has not shown any convincing commitment on the payment of the withheld salaries and resolutions of other pending grievances,” they added.
The unions also faced disappointment at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, where the Minister of State was unavailable. The Permanent Secretary, who stood in, could not offer any commitment.
“In view of this disappointment and failure of Government to address grievances of NASU and SSANU, JAC has decided on a series of industrial actions,” the circular continued.
The planned actions include a general meeting on Monday, July 8, 2024, to raise awareness among members, a one-day protest at each branch on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, and a national protest in Abuja on Thursday, July 18, 2024. The unions aim to mobilize all members and ensure media coverage.