The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has issued a stern warning that it will shut down universities across the nation if the Federal Government does not address their outstanding demands.
According to CHANNELS TELEVISION, the union has announced plans for country-wide protests on Tuesday to draw attention to their grievances.
SSANU, in conjunction with the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), has been engaged in negotiations with the Federal Government over the payment of four months of salary arrears owed to its members.
Despite previous warning strikes and a recent two-week ultimatum issued to the government, the unions accuse the government of failing to act on its promises.
SSANU President Mohammed Ibrahim made the announcement during an appearance on CHANNELS TELEVISION'S "The Morning Brief" program on Friday.
"By Tuesday next week—that will be the ninth of July—we have directed our branches to hold protests all over the country to tell the world that something is definitely wrong somewhere. That protest will take place on all our campuses," Ibrahim declared.
He added that SSANU and NASU would continue to engage with the government but would escalate their actions if their demands remained unmet.
"We will also have a grand protest in Abuja on the 18th of July, where we will picket the offices of the Minister of Education and the Minister of Labour, who has not even shown any sign of seriousness on the matter," Ibrahim stated.
The planned protests reflect the unions' frustration with the government's lack of tangible progress on their issues.
SSANU and NASU members are determined to highlight the financial difficulties and operational challenges they face due to the unpaid salary arrears.
Ibrahim warned that if the protests do not yield results, SSANU and NASU are prepared to escalate their actions.
"We will go on a full-blown strike that will be total, comprehensive, indefinite, and without any concession," he said.