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  • SSANU demands release of N50bn earned allowance

    SSANU demands release of N50bn earned allowance

    The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has decried the delay in the release of N50 billion for the payment of earned and other allowances which was appropriated in the 2023 supplementary budget.

    The union also decried the non-payment of the arrears of 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary increment for federal universities, inter-universities centres and some state universities.

    SSANU made the demand at its 50th Regular National Executive Council meeting at the Federal University Otuoke, Bayelsa State where it took positions on a number of issues.

    In a communique released on Sunday and signed by its National President, Mohammed Ibrahim the union urged the government to should ensure that the N50bn earlier appropriated should be recaptured in the 2025 budget, including the release of other pending allowances without delay.

    The union lauded President Bola Tinubu-led administration for paying two months out of the four months withheld salaries of its members in Federal Universities and inter- University Centres.

    It however called for the release of the remaining two months to guarantee industrial peace in universities.

    “NEC further noted that the two months arrears were paid without remitting third party payments such as Cooperative deductions, dues for professional associations and others. NEC appeals to the Federal Government through the Minister of Education, Dr. Morufu Olatunji Alausa, to as a matter of seriousness facilitate the payment of our remaining two (2) months salaries and the third party deductions, so as to guarantee industrial harmony in all Nigerian Universities and inter University Centres,” the communique stated.

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    SSANU also said it observed inconsistencies on the GIFMIS payment platform like cases of salary shortfalls and inconsistencies in payment of third-party deductions of various universities and Inter- University centres.

    “Further enquires unearth that, on migration to the GIFMIS platform, some universities have started shortchanging their Staff by paying incomplete salaries and withholding third party deductions in the name of salary shortfalls, in flagrant disobedience of financial regulations,” SSANU said.

    The union also decried the rate of taxation, noting that some of these taxation are affecting “our meagre salaries through the pay as you earn (PAYE) tax, the hike in Value Added Tax (VAT) and numerous unexplainable tariffs.

    “This has drastically rendered the Seventy (70) Thousand Naira minimum wage increase useless and of no effect.

    “NEC therefore calls on the government of the day to work towards a worker friendly Tax Regime to ameliorate the hardship faced by our members,” the union said.

    Speaking on the new natuonal minimum wage, SSANU urged state governments that are yet to implement and commerce payment to do the needful and bring workers in state universities up to same pace with their counterparts in federal universities.

  • FUOYE students reject call for vice chancellor’s sack, accuse SSANU of bias

    FUOYE students reject call for vice chancellor’s sack, accuse SSANU of bias

    Students of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), have condemned the recent call by the National Women Committee of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) for the removal of the institution’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Abayomi Fasina. 

    During a solidarity protest on Wednesday at the university campus, the students warned the SSANU women’s wing against being used by what they described as “enemies of the university” who do not have the institution’s best interests at heart. 

    The SSANU Women Committee had, during a press conference in Otuoke, Bayelsa State, demanded Prof. Fasina’s suspension over an allegation of sexual harassment made by a senior staff member, Mrs. Folasade Adebayo. 

    However, speaking on Wednesday, the Students’ Union Government (SUG) Vice President, Comrade Olaniyan Eniola, dismissed the call for suspension as illogical, noting that an investigation into the allegation was still ongoing. 

    Eniola further alleged that the demand for the VC’s removal was a calculated attempt by certain individuals with vested interests to disrupt the university’s peaceful environment and progress through a smear campaign against Prof. Fasina.

    He said, “We are appalled by the disgraceful actions of a so-called union body, the SSANU National Women’s Committee, led by Mrs Ijeoma Kalu, which is demanding the suspension of our highly respected Vice-Chancellor over a completely unfounded allegation.

    “It is disappointing that these women, who should be expected to uphold truth and integrity, have chosen instead to spread falsehoods and engage in media blackmail. We were shocked to read how they publicly disgraced themselves, calling for the removal of our beloved VC without any factual basis.

    “The Vice-Chancellor has already clarified that Mrs Adebayo, in her official petition to the Governing Council, never mentioned sexual harassment. Even in her statements before the Nigerian Police, which investigated the matter, there was no mention of sexual harassment. So, where did the SSANU Women’s Committee fabricate this claim? On what basis are they demanding his suspension? This is a politically motivated smear campaign, which is doomed to fail”, he added.

    Eniola warned SSANU and its affiliates to desist from further interference, urging them to allow the university’s governing council to complete its investigation without external pressures.

    He added, “It is unfortunate that rather than focusing on the incredible progress FUOYE has made under this administration, some individuals are spreading baseless and damaging narratives. We strongly caution against the interference of uninvited groups seeking to disrupt the university’s stability.

    “This issue must be handled legally and fairly, without external manipulations aimed at tarnishing the university’s reputation.”

    “FUOYE stands as a beacon of excellence in Nigeria’s educational landscape, and its integrity must be protected at all costs. We trust that the truth will prevail and that this great university’s dignity, integrity, and reputation will remain untarnished.”

    He reaffirmed the students’ solidarity with the Vice-Chancellor, stating that they will resist any attempt to derail the institution’s progress.

    In a similar development, the Campaign for Justice and Fair Play has raised an alarm over an alleged plot by the National Women Committee of Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities to destabilise the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE).

    The group’s Chairman, Chief Calistus Jemade, in a statement in Ado-Ekiti on Wednesday, said the alleged plot was driven by vested interests threatened by the unparalleled achievements of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Abayomi Sunday Fasina.

    Jemade alleged that the SSANU Women’s Committee has been orchestrating a campaign to unseat Professor Fasina over an unsubstantiated allegation of sexual harassment made by a university staff member, Folashade Adebayo.

    He described the plot as a “calculated political attack” purposefully designed to discredit university’s VC and undermine his leadership, saying, “the sponsors of this campaign are not seeking justice but are actively working to destabilise the university”.

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    He called on the institution’s Chairman of the Governing Council to take decisive action and expedite ongoing probe into the allegation, warning that allowing the plot to succeed could jeopardise the stability and future of FUOYE.

    This is a calculated political attack designed to discredit a leader who has worked tirelessly to improve FUOYE. These individuals, motivated by self-interest, are determined to take control of the university’s leadership at any cost.

    “We urge the FUOYE’s Senate, alumni, staff, and students to be vigilant and resist any attempt to sow discord and destabilise the institution.

    “Professor Fasina is a proven reformer, a strong advocate for staff welfare, and a high-achieving administrator. Any attempt to undermine his leadership should be strongly opposed by all who value the progress of this institution”, he added. 

  • SSANU bemoans FG’s interference in appointments of VCs

    SSANU bemoans FG’s interference in appointments of VCs

    …workers decry poor funding of varsities

    The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has raised concerns over the Federal Government’s interference in the appointment of Vice-Chancellors in Nigerian universities.

    The union criticized the government for treating such a critical position as if it were a constituency project.

    SSANU also decried the poor funding of universities and inter-university centers, stating that institutions meant to be citadels of learning now resemble local government headquarters.

    This is as the association has lamented the deplorable conditions of Nigerian roads, saying that the roads in the country are worst than roads in Rwanda and Southern Sudan.

    The National President of SSANU, Comrade Mohamed Haruna Ibrahim stated this in his opening remarks at the 50th Regular National Executive Council (NEC) meeting at the Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa State.

    While expressing worry over the condition of Nigerian universities and inter university centers in terms of funding ,Comrade Ibrahim said: “We have said it before, and we will re-echo it again. We have clearly seen that government is not serious about education in Nigeria, especially university education.

    “Why do we say this? Funding is at its lowest ebb. And the new challenge, we used to have problem of funding, capital, but what is new or the emerging trend, is that even personnel cost, personnel project is not properly funded. And I wonder how we will run universities without properly funding it. University is about teaching, research and community service.

    “How do you do this? You can’t teach, you can’t do any research, neither would you be able to do any community service without money, without funding. Universities are supposed to attract the best friends around the world. From the name University, it is universal. In Otuoke here, we should have Indians, Americans, Europeans, other Africans as members of staff, both in teaching and even non teaching. This is what makes a university.

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    “But today, most of our universities are becoming like local government headquarters. Even the appointment of vice chancellors have been so localized to look like a constituency project that a vice chancellor must be from the community hosting the university. This is most absurd.

    “It is a very big setback for international standards. People should apply, vacancies should be open to both internal and external candidates. Recruitment of principal officers and even other members of staff is now becoming like a constituency project.

    “Our union frowns at this development because it’s a negative development. We have no quarrels you employing any professional it can be from the next village, but let it be competitive, so that our students will have the best of experiences having to meet different people from different backgrounds.

    “And even our admissions today, students are only admitted, not even from the catchment area, but from the host community, some of us that have graduated over three decades ago, we have mixed with people from different backgrounds, and we are thankful for this. Till today, we appreciate it. We have friends across Nigeria and even abroad.

    “So if you do your primary school in Otuoke, or in Yola, or in Maiduguri, or Lagos and you do your secondary school, even within the university demonstration school and you do the university education within that same community. And tomorrow you aspire and be appointed as Minister, you will see things from that perspective. You will not appreciate how others behave, how others do things, how others do things.

    “So we use this voice and this platform to say that government should be deliberate in returning universities to what they should be in terms of funding, in terms of support and in terms of making sure that discipline is adhered to.”

    SSANU commended the management of the Federal University, Otuoke on how staff development is handled to allow members to progress and rise to the peak of their career.

    Ibrahim said: “Mister Vice Chancellor, we want to congratulate you for supporting our union, and, by extension, other unions. we’ve been told that your staff development is very excellent, and this is what makes us tick, allow our staff to rise to the pinnacle of their chosen careers.

    “Give a level playing field for workers to showcase their best. I’m happy the chairman of the branch is a member of the Governing Council of this university. This is also another plus, that non teaching staff will not be short changed. And in addition to this, we have seen this happening in other universities too. So SSANU is growing in leaps and bounds, and SSANU will continue to grow.”

    On the condition of Nigerian roads, the SSANU President said: “Nigeria has the worst set of roads. The roads in Rwanda are better. In fact, the ones in southern Sudan, they are better than what we see in Nigeria. So our roads are bad. They are in bad condition. So government should wake up to its responsibility.”

  • Strike: SSANU to take position on N50bn earned allowances, others

    Strike: SSANU to take position on N50bn earned allowances, others

    Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has said it will revisit some of its demands that are yet to be addressed on Wednesday at its 3rd Quadrennial National Delegates Conference (NDC).

    According to SSANU, some of the issues include: withheld salaries, wage award and N50 billion Earned Allowance yet to be released by the Federal Government.

    The union called off its nationwide strike on Tuesday after the Federal Government paid one out of the four months withheld salaries.

    The government is expected to pay another one month by end of this month.

    SSANU President, Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim said the conference would offer a unique opportunity for the association to reaffirm its commitment to advancing the Nigerian university system.

    He said: “The theme of this year’s conference, ‘Respecting Collective Bargaining Agreement and Industrial Peace in a Democracy,’ speaks directly to the core of our ongoing efforts to strengthen industrial harmony within our institutions.

    Read Also: SSANU, NASU suspend strike after agreement with FG

    “In a time where stability in the education sector is crucial, the theme underscores our commitment to principled negotiation, respect for agreements, and the peaceful resolution of conflicts.

    “The theme emphasizes the necessity for honoring collective agreements as the bedrock of industrial peace. At SSANU, we firmly believe that the integrity of such agreements is essential for ensuring the welfare and dignity of our members, and by extension, the sustainability and advancement of our academic institutions.

    “The disregard for or non-implementation of these agreements only serves to undermine trust and disrupt the academic environment. As we convene, we also wish to address key ongoing issues that remain in active discussions with the federal government.

    “Specifically, we are revisiting the matters of the outstanding 3 months’ withheld salaries, the ₦50 billion in Earned Allowances, arrears of the 25/35 percent increment, and the Wage Award.

    “We recognise that the government has begun payment of one month from the four months of withheld salaries, and we are hopeful this marks progress toward fulfilling these commitments. These obligations are far more than numbers on paper; they are commitments that, if honored, directly impact the lives, morale, and well-being of our members.

    “It is our firm hope that these deliberations will culminate in resolutions that not only honor these commitments but also foster stability and trust within the higher education sector.”

    Ibrahim added: “The upcoming National Delegates Conference will also mark the commencement of SSANU’s electoral process, wherein new leadership will be elected to steward the affairs of this great association over the next four years.

    “As an organisation deeply rooted in democratic principles, we are committed to ensuring that this election is conducted with the highest standards of transparency, fairness, and integrity.

    “I am confident that the delegates, in their wisdom, will elect leaders who are dedicated to furthering the cause of our members and ensuring that SSANU continues to stand as a formidable force in the Nigerian educational landscape.”

  • Strike: SSANU to take position on N50bn earned allowances, other demands

    Strike: SSANU to take position on N50bn earned allowances, other demands

    The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has said it would revisit some of its demands that are yet to be addressed on Wednesday at its 3rd Quadrennial National Delegates Conference (NDC). 

    According to SSANU, some of the issues include: withheld salaries, wage award and N50 billion Earned Allowance yet to be released by the Federal Government.

    The union called off its nationwide strike on Tuesday after the Federal Government paid one out of the four months withheld salaries. 

    The government is expected to pay another one month by end of this month. 

    SSANU President, Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, said the conference would offer a unique opportunity for the association to reaffirm its commitment to advancing the Nigerian university system.

    He said: “The theme of this year’s conference, “Respecting Collective Bargaining Agreement and Industrial Peace in a Democracy,” speaks directly to the core of our ongoing efforts to strengthen industrial harmony within our institutions.

    “In a time where stability in the education sector is crucial, the theme underscores our commitment to principled negotiation, respect for agreements, and the peaceful resolution of conflicts.

    “The theme emphasizes the necessity for honoring collective agreements as the bedrock of industrial peace. At SSANU, we firmly believe that the integrity of such agreements is essential for ensuring the welfare and dignity of our members, and by extension, the sustainability and advancement of our academic institutions.

    “The disregard for or non-implementation of these agreements only serves to undermine trust and disrupt the academic environment. As we convene, we also wish to address key ongoing issues that remain in active discussions with the federal government.

    “Specifically, we are revisiting the matters of the outstanding 3 months’ withheld salaries, the ₦50 billion in Earned Allowances, arrears of the 25/35 percent increment, and the Wage Award.

    “We recognise that the government has begun payment of one month from the four months of withheld salaries, and we are hopeful this marks progress toward fulfilling these commitments. These obligations are far more than numbers on paper; they are commitments that, if honored, directly impact the lives, morale, and well-being of our members.

    Read Also: SSANU, NASU suspend strike after agreement with FG

    “It is our firm hope that these deliberations will culminate in resolutions that not only honor these commitments but also foster stability and trust within the higher education sector.”

    Ibrahim added: “The upcoming National Delegates Conference will also mark the commencement of SSANU’s electoral process, wherein new leadership will be elected to steward the affairs of this great association over the next four years.

    “As an organisation deeply rooted in democratic principles, we are committed to ensuring that this election is conducted with the highest standards of transparency, fairness, and integrity.

    “I am confident that the delegates, in their wisdom, will elect leaders who are dedicated to furthering the cause of our members and ensuring that SSANU continues to stand as a formidable force in the Nigerian educational landscape.”

  • SSANU, NASU suspend strike after agreement with FG

    SSANU, NASU suspend strike after agreement with FG

    The non-academic staff of Nigerian public universities (NASU) has announced the suspension of the indefinite strike from Tuesday, 5 November.

    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) announced this decision in a strike update sent to branch chairpersons nationwide on Sunday.

    The suspension comes a day after the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF), Bawa Mokwa, said the payments to NASU members had commenced, with many beneficiaries already confirming receipt of their salaries and benefits.

    While emphasising its dedication to addressing longstanding financial obligations within federal institutions, the Office of the Accountant-General also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the welfare of Nigerian workers and retirees.

    Reacting to this, the statement jointly signed by SSANU President Mohammed Ibrahim and NASU General Secretary Peters Adeyemi noted that the decision to suspend the strike followed “several extensive and exhaustive deliberations” with top government officials, including the new Minister of Education, the and the Minister of Finance.

    The unions noted that through these engagements, they secured an “irrevocable commitment” from the government to release two months’ worth of withheld salaries in batches —one month by the end of October (which has reportedly been largely fulfilled) and the second month by the end of November.

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    The statement also emphasised that ongoing discussions with the government continue regarding the remaining two months’ withheld salaries, the N50 billion in Earned Allowances, the arrears of 25/35 percent, and a proposed Wage Award.

    “Arising from the above and in view of the level of commitment exhibited by the new minister and the leadership of the Department of State Services, the leadership of JAC, after several contacts and other patriotic considerations, hereby directs that the ongoing indefinite strike be suspended for one- month effective Tuesday, 5th November, 2024.

    “Branch leaders of both NASU and SSANU are hereby directed to convene a joint Congress in their respective campuses on Monday, 4th November, 2024 and intimate members of these development and urge them to resume work on Tuesday, 5th November, 2024.

    “We wish to also reiterate that discussions on the remaining 2 months, the N50 billion Earned Allowances, Arrears of 25/35 per cent and the Wage Award have been revisited and are undergoing deliberations.”

  • NASU, SSANU to call off strike tomorrow

    NASU, SSANU to call off strike tomorrow

    Members of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) have promised to suspend their strike tomorrow for one month.

    They said the Federal Government paid only one out of the four months’ salaries the government owed them.

    In a short message through his WhatsApp, NASU’s General Secretary, Prince Peters Adeyemi, confirmed the payment, saying the government had agreed to pay another one month salary by the end of this month.

    “Just one month out of the two months approved for payment is dropping presently.

    “There’s an understanding that the second month will be paid at the end of November.

    “As responsible unions (NASU and SSANU), we are suspending the strike on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 for one month only,” Adeyemi said.

    The leaderships of both unions, through their JAC, issued the strike directive via a circular by NASU’s Secretary-General Adeyemi and SSANU’s President Mohammed Ibrahim to the chairmen of their branches nationwide.

    Their primary goal, they said, was to press for the payment of the salaries the government owed to them since 2022.

    The strike disrupted administrative work in public universities and inter-university centres nationwide.

    In a statement at the weekend by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Bawa Mokwa, the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF), announced the release of funds to be paid to NASU and SSANU members.

    Read Also: NASU, SSANU strike continues nationwide

    A statement through the JAC of both unions by Adeyemi and Ibrahim said: “The national leadership of the JAC of NASU and SSANU acknowledges and commends our members in the universities and inter-university centres for their unwavering resolve, unrelenting determination and steadfast support for the ongoing strike action.

    “You will recall that the ongoing strike action foisted on us commenced on the Monday, October 28, 2024 as a result of government’s insensitivity to the plight of our members in respect of our legitimate demands.

    “During this industrial struggle, we have had several extensive and exhaustive deliberations with officials of the Federal Government of Nigeria, including the new Minister of Education, the Minister of Finance, the outgoing Minister of State for Education, the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Education, the Accountant-General of the Federation, and the leadership of the Department of State Services (DSS).

    “These high-level engagements culminated in extracting an irrevocable commitment from the Federal Government that the two months of the four months withheld salaries would be paid in staggered form: one month by the end of October, 2024 (which has largely been done), then the second month to be paid by the end of November, 2024.

    “Arising from the above and in view of the level of commitment exhibited by the new minister and the leadership of the DSS, the leadership of JAC, after several contacts and other patriotic considerations, hereby directs that the ongoing indefinite strike be suspended for one month effective Tuesday, November 5, 2024. Branch leaders of both NASU and SSANU are hereby directed to convene a joint congress in their respective campuses on Monday, November 4, 2024 and intimate members of these developments and urge them to resume work on Tuesday, November 5, 2024.

    “We wish to also reiterate that discussions on the remaining two months, the N50 billion Earned Allowances, Arrears of 25/35 per cent and the Wage Award have been revisited and are undergoing deliberations.”

  • NASU, SSANU strike continues nationwide

    NASU, SSANU strike continues nationwide

    • Union’s enforcement team shuts down UNIPORT’s primary school
    • Action disrupts new students’ orientation at OAU

    The ongoing nationwide strike by the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the National Association of Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) continued yesterday on most university campuses across the country.

    The unions’ monitoring team yesterday shut down the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) Demonstration Primary School.

    It was learnt that the team stormed the primary school within the university, closed it and asked the head teacher and the pupils to go home to enforce the strike.

    A senior employee at UNIPORT’s administrative department, who spoke in confidence, said: “The taskforce enforcing the strike today shut down the UNIPORT’s Demonstration Primary School. The headmistress of the schools thought that since it is a primary school, it is not included in the strike.

    “But the taskforce explained that members of staff of the primary school are also members of the unions and should be affected by the strike.

    “The strike has been effective since it started on Monday. None of them reported to work apart from the people enforcing the strike.”

    The strike also stalled the orientation programme organised by the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) at Ile-Ife in Osun State for first year students.

    The university’s SSANU Chairman, Dr. Taiwo Arobadi, announced this in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ile-Ife.

    Arobadi said that it was a pity that new students, who were being exposed to the dos and don’ts in the institution, could have such an ugly experience while entering the institution.

    The SSANU chairman said the union unanimously agreed that the strike be total and indefinite until government listened to its striking members.

    “We have spoken with the university management and appealed that they understand the position of the union, adding that the order for the strike came from the national leadership of the union.

    “Immediately we receive alert on our phones, we will resume our duties,” he said.

    The unions’ Joint Action Committee (JAC) at the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) yesterday joined the strike.

    Addressing reporters in Ilorin, the university’s NASU Chairman Suberu Ibrahim said the strike would remain total and indefinite until the Federal Government paid the four months’ withheld salaries of its members.

    His SSANU counterpart, Mr. Falowo Naheem, expressed displeasure over alleged mistreatment that the unions’ members were getting from the government.

    At the Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufo-Alike Ikwo (AE-FUNAI) in Ebonyi State, NASU threatened to sanction defaulters of the strike.

    The AE-FUNAI’s NASU Chairman, Mr. Chibuike Igwe, told NAN that the union had mobilised for the full compliance to the industrial action in the university.

    Read Also:ASUU, NASU, SSANU strikes ground academic activities in varsities

    Also, the strike grounded administrative activities yesterday at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture in Umudike (MOUAU), Abia State.

    Our correspondent reports that apart from the office of the vice chancellor that was open, which members of the striking unions moved to close, all other offices were shut down.

    Only the Department of Veterinary Medicine, whose students started their exams last week, was spared.

    Other departments were said to have concluded their examinations last two to three weeks.

    Apart from security operatives seen at different postings, all other non-academic workers stayed at home.

    At the University of Jos (UNIJOS), SSANU Chairman Anthony Joro and his NASU counterpart, Monday Danjuma, said the unions’ members would not return to work until the Federal Government met their demands.

    At the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), the unions grounded administrative activities in all the departments.

    SSANU Chairman Linus Akata said academic activities at the institution would remain on hold until all outstanding payments were made.

    He said: “We held our congress yesterday (Monday) and people voted 100 per cent and commenced the strike immediately.

    “Today (Tuesday), it was complied with 100 per cent. The bursar, the registrar and all the principal officers are working from home. No office is open. Both primary and secondary schools have been shut down.”

    The unions’ branches at the University of Ibadan (UI) complied with the strike.

    A lecturer at the Department of Sociology and Criminology, Dr. Tade Oludayo, told our correspondent that the strike did not have a direct impact on students as they had finished their examinations.

    A student and President of the Faculty of Law, Idowu Ademola, said though students had finished their examinations few weeks ago, lecture theatres, libraries, and other places of learning were shut down due to the strike.

    Administrative activities at the Federal University of Technology in Akure (FUTA) were grounded yesterday.

    Many offices were under lock and key as members of the unions did not report for work.

    Official of both unions went round the institution to ensure compliance while other union members were directed to stay away from their offices.

  • SSANU, NASU strike paralyses freshers’ orientation in OAU

    SSANU, NASU strike paralyses freshers’ orientation in OAU

    The nationwide industrial action by the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has stalled the orientation programme organised by the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife for first year students.

    The Chairman, SSANU, OAU Ile-Ife, Dr Taiwo Arobadi, disclosed this in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Tuesday, in Ile-Ife.

    Arobadi said that it was a pity that new students, who were being exposed to the dos and don’ts in the institution, could have such an ugly experience, while entering the institution.

    He said that the union had directed the new students to remain in their hostels or return to their homes, if they came from far distance locations.

    Read Also: NASU, SSANU begin indefinite strike Monday

    According to him, the offices would remain under lock and key and academic activities would as well be paralysed until the government answers them by paying their withheld four months salary.

    The SSANU chairman said that it was unanimously agreed by the union for the strike to be total and indefinite, until government listened to them.

    He pointed out that the union cannot allow the government to treat its members like slaves in their own country.

    “We have spoken with the university management and appealed that they understand the position of the union, adding that the order for the strike came from the national leadership of the union.

    “Immediately we receive alert on our phones, we will resume our duties,” he said.

    Arobadi, therefore, appealed to President Bola Tinubu to consider the plight of Nigerian youths, whose parents could not afford to sponsor their education abroad, and look into their demand.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that SSANU and NASU embarked on a nationwide indefinite strike on Monday to demand the payment of their withheld four months salary.

    (NAN)

  • NASU, SSANU begin indefinite strike Monday

    NASU, SSANU begin indefinite strike Monday

    Administrative work would be disrupted in public universities tomorrow following the decision of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of non-teaching staff unions in the universities, comprising the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) to begin an indefinite strike over the non-payment of the four months withheld salary of their members. 

    The leadership of NASU and SSANU said the strike would commence on Sunday night October 27, 2024.

    JAC, in a circular to all branch chairmen of NASU and SSANU in the universities and inter-university centres, with the title: “Latest development in respect of the withheld four (4) months salaries,” explained that the strike initially billed for 23rd October, was rescheduled because of the Trade Group Council meeting of NASU branches on the said date.

    The circular by General Secretary of NASU, Prince Peters Adeyemi and SSANU President, Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim explained that the strategic change in timing was for effective coordination and for both unions to be on the same page.

    JAC regretted that despite President Bola Tinubu’s approval for the 50 per cent of the four months withheld salaries to be paid, the alleged inaction of the Minister of Finance raised questions about the government’s commitment to resolving the issue.

    The unions said: “It is on record that the JAC of NASU and SSANU has issued multiple notices to the government to redress this ugly situation. However, the sincerity of the government to our cause is in doubt.

    Read Also: BREAKING: NASU, SSANU protest four-month withheld salaries

    “However, the Trade Group Council Meeting of NASU branches in the Universities and Inter- University Centres has been scheduled to hold on Wednesday 23rd and Thursday 24th October 2024 at Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, and the arrangements for the meeting have already concluded.

    “In view of this, the leadership of JAC has decided that the effective date for the strike be moved to midnight of Sunday, 27th October 2024, to allow the Branch Officers of NASU to be on ground before commencing the strike.

    “We have to do this strategic change in timing for effective coordination and for both Unions to be on the same page.

    “We express our deepest appreciation for your steadfast commitment to the leadership and we affirm our determination to persist in this struggle until ultimate victory is secured.”