The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of non-teaching staff unions in Nigeria’s federal universities has directed its members to begin an indefinite nationwide strike today, Monday, October 28.
The JAC represents two unions: the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU).
The strike is in response to the government’s failure to pay four months of withheld salaries owed to union members.
The salary issue dates back to 2022 when the federal government withheld the salaries of university staff who participated in an eight-month strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
Although President Bola Tinubu‘s administration approved the release of four months’ worth of withheld salaries in October 2023, only ASUU members were paid, excluding non-teaching staff in NASU and SSANU.
Allegations of Unfair Treatment
The exclusion has led to accusations of “unfair treatment and discrimination” against NASU and SSANU members. Despite ongoing discussions with the ministries of education and labor, a resolution has yet to be reached. The unions have issued multiple formal notices seeking redress but have not received the payments.
Strike Decision
In a circular to branch chairpersons, JAC directed its members to join the strike. The circular, signed by NASU’s General Secretary, Peters Adeyemi, and SSANU President, Mohammed Ibrahim, expressed gratitude to members for their support and reaffirmed their commitment to the cause.
Initially scheduled for October 23, the strike was rescheduled to ensure effective coordination and that both unions were on the same page.
“Because of this, the leadership of JAC has decided that the effective date for the strike be moved to midnight of Sunday, 27th October 2024,” the circular reads.
“This is to allow the branch officers of NASU to be on the 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.”
The leadership expressed appreciation for members’ steadfast commitment and determination to persist in the struggle until ultimate victory was secured.
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