LAGOS – The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) has given instructions for their members to start a nationwide protest on Tuesday, July 9th. 

The directive follows the federal government’s delay in paying the four-month overdue salaries of university workers. 

Remember that the SSANU and NASU leaders held discussions with the education, labor, and employment ministers, as well as the National Universities Commission (NUC) on Thursday, July 4th. 

The meeting aimed to persuade the unions against initiating a nationwide strike; however, it concluded without reaching an agreement. 

As per a circular signed by SSANU’s national president, Comrade Mohammed Haruna Ibrahim, and NASU’s counterpart, Peters Adeyemi in Abuja, the unions criticized the federal government for lacking a clear commitment to paying the overdue salaries and addressing unresolved issues of the two unions. 

They were displeased with the government’s lack of commitment and have planned a set of industrial actions. These actions involve holding branch meetings to raise awareness among members about the government’s indifference, followed by a nationwide protest on Tuesday and a national protest in Abuja on July 18th, 2024. 

The circular states, “Due to this dissatisfaction and the government’s failure to address the concerns of NASU and SSANU, JAC has decided on a series of industrial actions, including the following: 

“All NASU and SSANU branches must conduct a compulsory general meeting on Monday, July 8th, 2024, to raise awareness among members about the government’s lack of concern for our issues. Additionally, a one-day protest should take place on Tuesday, July 9th, 2024, at each branch simultaneously.” 

“Each branch must guarantee full participation of all members in the protest and ensure effective mobilization of the press/media.” 

“After the national protest in Abuja on Thursday, July 18, 2024, the JAC will convene to announce the commencement date for the strike action.