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Tag: SSANU

  • BREAKING: SSANU, NASU shut down activities in UNILAG over withheld salaries

    BREAKING: SSANU, NASU shut down activities in UNILAG over withheld salaries

    Activities at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) were on Wednesday paralysed as members of non-academic staff unions complied with the directive to embark on seven-day warning strike.

    The Nation reports Joint Action Committee of SSANU and NASU had directed its members to embark on a warning strike over the non-payment of four months of withheld salaries.

    President Bola Tinubu in October 2023 directed that the university workers that embarked on prolonged strike in 2022 should be paid four months.

    Early Wednesday, the institution’s branch of SSANU and NASU in compliance with the directive of its national bodies, locked one of the main gates which affected the entry and exit of vehicles on the campuses. 

    Read Also: SSANU, NASU strike grounds academic activities at varsities

    This also affected vehicular movements into the school and also caused congestion along the UNILAG route.

    The Nation observed that some lecture halls and offices were also locked hindering academic activities. 

    The members gathered at the institution’s gate for a “peaceful protest” and to register their displeasure.

    Some them held placards with inscriptions such as “Pay us our money!”, “JAC Demands the immediate payment of withheld salaries”.

    Other placards had inscriptions: “FGN pay our four months’ salaries without delay!’’ and “Pay us our 4 months salaries!’’

    Details shortly…

  • Nigerian university system needs urgent attention – SSANU

    Nigerian university system needs urgent attention – SSANU

    The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has described the Nigerian university system as one in need of urgent attention to correct its anomalies.

    Mr Patrick Esiehor, Chairman, SSANU, Federal University of Petroleum Resources Effurun (FUPRE) branch, said this in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Warri on Tuesday.

    Esiehor, while commenting on the warning strike the association embarked upon on Monday, said the strike would continue until the national body order its suspension.

    A check by NAN to the university campus on Tuesday revealed that members of SSANU were not at their duty posts true to the call for the strike.

    The branch chairman said that members of the association in FUPRE fully complied with the warning strike.

    “As I speak with you now, I am at home and likewise others.

    “The strike is holding and total in FUPRE. The people you met on duties today on the campus belong to other unions in the university.

    “For SSANU, we are on strike. We are not happy with the way the government is treating the non-academic staff in the same university system.

    Read Also: SSANU, NASU strike grounds academic activities at varsities

    “We followed due process before we embarked on our previous strike, but it is quite unfortunate that the government politicised things and decided not to pay salaries within that period.

    “Now that Mr President has given an Executive Order that the salaries should be paid, a section of the staff was paid and others left behind,” he said.

    The chairman noted the failure of the Federal Government (FG) to improve the nation’s university system by correcting some of its anomalies.

    He identified the inadequate funding of the university system and the government’s failure to upwardly review salaries with effect from January 2023 as some issues begging for attention.

    “Up till now, that has not been implemented.

    “However, because of this warning strike, we hear that the government has factored it into this March salary.

    “Even if they do that, we have about 14 months arrears of that,” he said.

    He alleged that while the Vice-Chancellor, Registrars, and Bursars were also being owed, they had remained quiet being members of management staff.

    NAN recalls that the national body of SSANU had ordered its members to embark on a seven-day warning strike effective Monday to press home their demands. (NAN)

  • SSANU, NASU strike grounds academic activities at varsities

    SSANU, NASU strike grounds academic activities at varsities

    • Pay varsity unions’ withheld salaries, NLC tells Fed Govt

    The seven-day warning strike by the Senior Staff Association of Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational Associated Institutions (NASU) began yesterday across the country.

    The strike paralysed academic activities at most universities as members of the unions complied with the action.

    At the University of Nigeria in Nsukka (UNN), Enugu State, both unions held an emergency congress.

    The Chairman of SSANU-UNN, Dr. Linus Akata, who was accompanied by his NASU-UNN counterpart, Ekene Amu, said the emergency congress was meant to tell members that the strike would be total and comprehensive in UNN, in compliance with the directive of the national leadership.

    Akata urged the union members to relax in their homes till the end of strike and report any threat or query for not working from the management, Heads of Departments (HODs) or faculty to the union.

    The Nation reports that many students complained about their inability to learn as the strike had paralysed academic activities in the university.

    Read Also: Pay NASU, SSANU withheld salaries to avoid academic drift – NLC

    They urged the government to resolve the matter to avoid another disruption in the academic calendar.

    At the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State, and the Federal University of Technology in Akure (FUTA), Ondo State, academic workers complied with the strike.

    SSANU Chairmen at OAU and FUTA – Taiwo Arobadi and Felix Adubi – said the unions’ action was in compliance with the directive by their national bodies.

    The chairmen said the unions’ members in the registry, bursary, works, maintenance, security, and student affairs had withdrawn their services.

    SSANU Chairman at the Federal University of Technology in Owerri (FUTO), Uchenna Nwokeji, said the strike was total at the institution.

    He said the unions were asking the government for their right.

    The NASU branch at the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) yesterday called for public understanding over the strike.

    The university’s branch Chairman, Mr. Musa Liman, made the appeal while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the impact of the strike.

    He said the action was meant to, among other reasons, save public universities from collapse.

    The SSANU branch at the Federal University in Lafia (FULafia), Nasarawa State, complied with the strike.

    The branch Chairman Daniel Dajen said members of the union would not return to work until they got alert of their four months’ salary arrears from 2022.

    Academic activities were grounded at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) in Zaria, Kaduna State.

    The university’s theatres, lecture halls, libraries, and laboratories were under lock and key at Samaru and Kongo campuses.

    SSANU Chairman at the university, Mohammed Yunusa, said the union’s members at the Works, Registry and Student Affairs, as well as the Bursary departments had down tools.

    He said the union achieved 90 per cent compliance with the strike.

    The chairman said union members would hold a peaceful protest and a media briefing today.

    At the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) in Anambra State, SSANU Secretary Bonny Ozonkwuaku, who spoke on behalf of other unions, said: “As it stands now, all our offices at Administrative block, classrooms, faculties, departments, works and maintenance, security and students’ affairs units are under lock and key.

    “That will be the case for the next seven days until and unless the needful is done.”

    At the University of Abuja (UniAbuja), the SSANU branch Chairman Nureden Yusuf said the unions were on strike to draw the attention of the government to the state of the universities.

    Also, NASU branch Chairman, Mrs. Sadiya Hassan, urged the Federal Government to pay the four months’ withheld salaries to the unions to end the strike.

    Also, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged the Federal Government to pay university unions their outstanding salaries.

    The National Association of University Technologists (NAUT) has also threatened to start a strike as from tomorrow.

    A statement by NLC President Joe Ajaero reads: “We join our affiliate unions, the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational (NASU) and Associated Institutions and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) in demanding for the immediate payment of the withheld salaries of their members.

    “There has been no credible reason or explanation for withholding those salaries in the first place.

    “We recall this singular act plunged the members into indescribable hardship. Much worse, it defies logic to try to subject members of these unions to discriminatory treatment…”

  • SSANU, NASU begin seven-day warning strike

    SSANU, NASU begin seven-day warning strike

    The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) have directed their members to begin a seven-day warning strike today.

    The action was taken by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of both unions.

    A statement, titled: Commencement of a Seven-Day Warning Strike, by NASU General Secretary Peters Adeyemi and SSANU President Mohammed Ibrahim, reads: “The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of NASU and SSANU has inundated the Federal Government with the need to pay the withheld four months’ salaries of our members in the Federal universities and inter-university centres, as done for our academic counterpart to no avail.”

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    “As a matter of fact, the attention of the Chief of Staff to the President, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, and the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman (SAN), was called to this injustice and unfair treatment of our members in our letter referenced JAC/NS/VOL.II/277, dated February 13, 2024 and to also inform them to resolve the issue positively before it leads to unnecessary upheaval in our university sector.

    “In a similar vein, a press release was issued on March 1, 2024 and the Federal Government was given a seven-day ultimatum to do the needful in respect of the payment of the withheld four months’ salaries but nothing was done on the same.

    “Having waited patiently for the ultimatum to expire without a positive response to our demand by the government, this is to direct our members in the universities and inter-university centres throughout the country to commence a seven-day warning strike effective Monday, March 18, 2024 in the first instance…”

  • SSANU, NASU begin seven-day warning strike Monday

    SSANU, NASU begin seven-day warning strike Monday

    The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) have asked its members to commence a seven day warning strike beginning from Monday, March 18.

    The action was taken by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of both unions.

    According to a statement signed by General Secretary of NASU, Peters Adeyemi and SSANU President, Mohammed Ibrahim, the directive indicated that there would be complete blackout in all the universities.

    The directive would also affect water treatment plants and clinics while those involved in the proposed matriculations in some universities are to stay away from any activities.

    President Bola Tinubu had directed that university workers who were on prolonged strike in 2022 and their salaries stopped by the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari after the invocation of “No work, no pay” policy, be paid four months of the withheld salaries.

    While the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) members have received their withheld salaries, the non – teaching staff comprising SSANU, NASU and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) are yet to receive any payment.

    Read Also; Killers of Nigerian soldiers in Bomadi will not go unpunished – Tinubu

    To express their dismay at the preferential treatment, SSANU and NASU through JAC, issued an ultimatum to the government, but the ultimatum expired without any action from the federal government.

    The two unions thereafter gave a seven day warning strike notice to commence on March 18 if the government failed to attend to their demand.

    In a statement on Friday March 15, JAC of the two unions lamented that the government had remained adamant to the strike notice and therefore directed that the warning strike should commence today.

    The statement explained that all the notices to the relevant government officials have produced no positive results.

    The statement titled: “Commencement of a 7-day warning strike,” read: “The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of NASU and SSANU has inundated the Federal Government with the need to pay the withheld 4 months’ salaries of our members in the Federal Universities and Inter-University Centres as done for our Academic counterpart to no avail.

    “As a matter of fact, the attention of Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to the President and Prof. Tahir Mamman, SAN, OON, the Honourable Minister of Education was called to this injustice and unfair treatment of our members in our letter referenced JAC/NS/VOL.II/277 dated 13th February, 2024 and to also inform them to resolve the issue positively before it leads to unnecessary upheaval in our University Sector.

    “In a similar vein, a press release was issued on 1st March, 2024 and the Federal Government was given 7-days ultimatum to do the needful in respect of the payment of the withheld 4 months’ salaries but nothing was done on the same.

    “Having waited patiently for the ultimatum to expire without a positive response to our demand by the government, this is to direct our members in the Universities and Inter- University Centres throughout the country to commence a 7-day warning strike effective Monday, 18th March, 2024 in the first instance.

    “Please note that the 7-day warning strike should be comprehensive and total as no concession should be given in any guise.

    “Your strict compliance and adherence to this directive is mandatory for all NASU and SSANU branches in the Universities and Inter-University Centres.”

  • SSANU, NASU declare warning strike over withheld salaries

    SSANU, NASU declare warning strike over withheld salaries

    The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) have declared a seven-day warning strike – beginning March 18 – for the payment of their members’ withheld four-month salaries after the 2022 nationwide strike.

    The decision was part of the resolutions approved by the joint action committee (JAC) of both unions after their meeting in Akure, the Ondo State capital, at the weekend.

    SSANU President Mohammed Ibrahim, who signed the communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, said the decision to embark on the warning strike was taken as a last resort.

    The union leader said several protest letters and other communications with the Federal Government did not result in the payment of the withheld salaries.

    Former President Muhammadu Buhari had withheld the salaries of university workers who went on strike in 2022.

    But last October, President Bola Tinubu ordered the payment of four out of the withheld eight-month salaries of all lecturers.

    Last month, the Federal Government paid members of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) four of the eight months salaries.

    This has led to protest from the three university-based unions – SSANU, NASU, and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT).

    The communiqué reads: “The National Executive Council (NEC) in session seriously frowns at the latest action of the government which excluded SSANU and other non-teaching university-based unions from the payment of the four months withheld salaries arising from the nationwide strike action embarked upon by all unions in our public Universities.

    Read Also: JUST lN: SSANU, NASU declare seven-day warning strike

    “While SSANU is not averse to the payment of the withheld salary to our sister union, ASUU, it, however, views this action as a clear violation and breach of the post-strike agreement with (the Federal) Government on non-victimisation of our members who participated in the strike.

    “We strongly oppose this discriminatory practice, which we view as the government’s open invitation to industrial crisis. Credible information available to us has it that the directive of Mr. President is for all university-based unions to be paid four months’ salary.

    “NEC, therefore, suspects saboteurs in this government bent on destabilising and destroying the good intent of Mr. President towards sustaining industrial peace in the university system.

    “NEC in session, therefore, calls on the relevant authorities of government to immediately implement the directive of Mr. President by paying our members the four months withheld salaries, failing which NEC has approved a one-week warning strike in conjunction with our sister union in JAC, NASU.”

  • Varsity workers lament non – payment of minimum wage arrears

    Varsity workers lament non – payment of minimum wage arrears

    The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has lamented the non – payment of arrears of the national minimum wage to its members.

    It also urged the Federal Government to pay the October and November backlog of the N35,000 wage award to workers in its payroll.

    The union said fourteen universities have failed to pay the arrears to its members four years after it was approved by former President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The listed the universities to include: Federal University Otuoke; Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike; Federal University, Dutsinma; Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi; Federal University, Gashua, Yobe and Federal University Kashere.

    Others are: University of Maiduguri; Modibo Adamawa University, Yola; University of Benin, Benin; College of Medicine, of the University of Lagos, Idi-Araba; University of Calabar; University of Uyo; Federal University of Lafia and Federal University, Lokoja.

    In a communiqué issued at the end of its 46th National Executive Council meeting at the Federal University of Technology, Minna and signed by its National President Mohammed Ibrahim the union appealed to the Federal Government to release money for the payment of the arrears.

    “NEC in session observed that some of her members are yet to be paid arrears of the National Minimum Wage, which was approved in 2019 despite the efforts of the Union.

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    “NEC, therefore, calls on the government to, as a matter of urgency, release funds for payment for those omitted in the under listed universities,” the communiqué read.

    The union also urged the federal government to release the N50 billion allocated for the payment of the earned allowances of universities and Inter-University Centres workers “without further delay.”

    SSANU also demanded the implementation of the approved 25 per cent and 35 per cent increase in the salaries of university workers.

    The union said: “Though this proposal is a far cry from the salary increase demanded by SSANU, we regarded it as an award by the government and therefore expected that the award should have been implemented by now.”

     NEC, therefore, demands the implementation of this wage increase, which had been captured in the budget before the end of 2023, pending the conclusion of the renegotiation with the government on the mutually acceptable salary wage.”

    “This is with a view to forestall the complicated problems that plagued the use of IPPIS,” it said.

  • SSANU sensitises officials to retirement

    SSANU sensitises officials to retirement

    The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), University of Lagos (UNILAG) Chapter, has sensitised its members on life after retirement, noting that it was imperative to plan early.

    Chairman of the Caretaker Committee, Comrade Razak Yusuf, said the programme was aimed at empowering members to be fully prepared for retirement.

    He said: “The reality in this country today, with the painful economic situation, behoves every one of us to prepare for the future. Because of this, we organised this programme so that our members can start planning towards their retirement. Retirement should not just come suddenly; they must retire to something. If they are not doing something now, they should start thinking of what they can do, so they can retire and enjoy the benefits of their retirement.

    “I encourage them to always participate actively in whatever programmes we bring in. Not only that, we also need to plan like we’ve planned. Nobody will plan it for us. We don’t need to wait for the meagre salary which is not increasing; we are not getting allowances, and the government owes us. So, we don’t need to wait for the government or our employer; we must start doing something now.”

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    In his lecture titled ‘Life before and after retirement: Labour perspective’, a former Chairman of University of Ibadan SSANU, Sulayman Adewale, noted that nurturing a secure and dignified retirement for Nigerian workers necessitates vigilant oversight from policymakers, the collaboration of labour unions, and the concerted effort of stakeholders to address the prevailing issues and ensure retirees traverse their post-work years with improved financial security and enhanced quality of life.

    He urged staff members to reduce extravagant spending and get their finances in order.

    “Organise your money so you can work out what you’ll have to live on. Gradually reducing your spending in the lead up to retirement will make it easier to adjust. Become knowledgeable about the specifics of the Contributory Pension Law. Recognise your contribution rate, the function of Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs), and the retirement benefits to which you are entitled.

    “There is no specific age to start preparing for retirement. You can prepare for retirement even in your early twenties. The earlier, the better,” he added.

  • SSANU urges Fed, state varsities to implement25% salary increase

    SSANU urges Fed, state varsities to implement
    25% salary increase

    The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has urged federal and state universities to implement the newly approved 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary increment for junior workers and professors. 

    The university workers also called for the payment of the arrears without further delay.

    SSANU made the demand at its 45th regular National Executive Council (NEC) meeting at the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) in Borno State. 

    In a circular, dated September 21, 2023, issued by the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation to Polytechnics and Colleges of Education, the Auditor General said the implementation was approved by the Presidential Committee on Salaries at its 13th meeting.

    The circular followed a similar letter from the Chairman of the National Salaries, incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), dated September 14, 2023.

    In a communiqué by its National President, SSANU urged the Federal Government to forward the letter to the National Universities Commission (NUC) for implementation. 

    Read Also: IPPIS: SSANU UniAbuja chairman, members disagree on bribery allegations

    The communiqué reads: “While grudgingly acknowledging this slight increase that is yet to be officially communicated to the union, our universities and inter-university centers, SSANU urges both federal and state governments to immediately implement the increment and pay the arrears without further delay.

    “So, what we expect is that stakeholders, for example, unions, should have been involved because this is our own product. Unions should have been engaged, even if we refuse to sign, but we should have been copied. 

    “Therefore, what we are saying at this point is that the routine thing to do is that that letter should go to the National Universities Commission. It is the regulatory body of the universities, and the NUC should direct councils and vice chancellors to implement the payment of this 25 per cent and 35 per cent to our members in all universities, whether federal or state-owned. 

    “The university operates a unique salary table. While we are expecting them to do the needful, we can assure you that this leadership will not rest on its oars. We will follow our usual way of following up things. 

    “…As we met at the level of NAC, we engaged the National Salaries and Wages Commission, the emanator of that letter, and the IPPIS, to confirm if anything like that is officially sent to them. And as at yesterday (Wednesday) because things could have changed between yesterday and today (Thursday) nothing official has been done.”

    The union also urged the Ministers of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, and his Labour and Employment counterpart, Simon Lalong, to work towards the release of the withheld salaries of its members and fast-track the release of the reviewed salaries.

  • Senate begs SSANU, NASU to shelve strike

    The Senate on Wednesday appealed to the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU) to shelve their planned nationwide strike in the interest of the country.

    The Upper Chamber promised to engage stakeholders to resolve their grievances.

    The resolution followed a Point of Order by Senator Barau Jibrin (Kano North) on the impending nationwide industrial action by the two unions.

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    The Senate stressed the need to engage SSANU and NASU to amicably resolve their differences.

    In his lead debate, Jibrin noted that “it is saddening that SSANU and NASUU have given notice of commencing an industrial action over a number of issues”.

    The senator said if not addressed and resolved, the action of the unions would truncate the smooth running of universities in the country.

    He expressed concerns that the issues raised by two unions were matters of concern with the relationship of the two unions with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the alleged refusal by the Federal Government to heed to their request since 2006.