SSANU, NASU’s Strike Enters Second Day, FG Kicks

The Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) are on a seven-day warning strike that is currently in its second day. The strike has grounded operations at the country's public ivory towers. The Federal Government has criticised the non-academic staff's action, claiming that their withdrawal of services is in violation of section 18 of the Trade Dispute Act.

Employees from the two unions withdrew their services on Monday, initiating a seven-day warning strike. They worked in security, registry, bursary, works and maintenance, and students' affairs.

When our correspondents went to public institutions around the nation, they saw that all administrative activity had stopped at all Nigerian public universities due to locked varsity gates, dorms, and power outages.
SSANU and NASU are both opposing the federal government's withholding of their pay. The two unions criticised the federal government for failing to support the non-academic unions while giving the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) withheld salary.

In 2022, all of the unions went on an eight-month strike to emphasise a few of their demands, such as an improved welfare package. Following this, the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari implemented a "No Work, No Pay policy" against the unions. However, in October of last year, President Bola Tinubu authorised the payment of four of the eight months' worth of salary that had been withheld.

Mohammed Ibrahim, the president of SSANU, asserted that by underpaying non-academic unions compared to their academic counterparts, the Federal Government is discriminating against them and treating them unfairly.

Ibrahim sensed that there were "saboteurs in his government" and questioned why some government employees would partially comply with the President's directive to pay 2022 arrears to varsity union members.

"Abandon Firm Positions"
The unions issued a notice on March 11, 2024, and a week later, on March 18, 2024, they carried out their threat by closing the dormitories, power supply, security, and administrative operations in universities across the nation. Nkiruka Onyejeocha, the Labour Minister, harshly criticised this development, calling the unions' actions a complete disregard for the Federal Government's concerted efforts to address their concerns.

As per the Minister's consistent stance, going on strike should only be considered a last alternative following the failure of all attempts at conciliation.

According to a statement from the minister's office, "She appeals to the SSANU and NASU to step back from their hard-line stance and meet the federal government at the table for reconciliation."

"Treatment Discriminatory"
In the meantime, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the nation's umbrella organisation of unions, has supported SSANU and NASU, two of its affiliates, and urged the federal government to take the necessary action.

There was no valid justification or explanation, according to NLC President Joe Ajaero, for the pay' initial withholding.

To make matters worse, trying to treat members of these unions unfairly is illogical. In doing so, the government is encouraging preventable labour disputes.

"The least the government could do is not instigate another strike at a time when public university confidence is beginning to grow again.

"There will be an unacceptable cost to all parties involved, particularly for parents and students who must bear the burden of travelling on our hazardous roads," the NLC head declared.