The much-anticipated meeting convened by the Federal Government through the Ministry of Education to address the grievances of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) has ended in deadlock.
VANGUARD has reliably gathered that the two university-based unions, under the Joint Action Committee (JAC), have directed their members to mobilize and proceed on a protest on Tuesday over the government’s alleged insensitivity to their concerns.
The JAC, which includes SSANU and NASU, had previously issued a two-week ultimatum to the government to pay them the four months of withheld salaries, which President Bola Tinubu had approved for the four university-based unions.
These unions, including the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), had embarked on a prolonged strike in 2022, prompting the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to invoke a ‘No Work, No Pay’ policy.
Following President Tinubu’s amnesty to university workers for the payment of four months of withheld salaries, ASUU received their payments in October last year.
However, the remaining three unions were left unpaid, creating tension and dissatisfaction within the universities.
The two-week ultimatum expired on July 4, prompting the Federal Government, through the Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, to summon a meeting with the two unions in an attempt to avert the impending strike.
However, the meeting reportedly did not yield any positive results, with the minister only promising to escalate the matter to a higher authority, possibly the president.
In response to the government's lack of action, the JAC of SSANU and NASU has instructed all branches to convene meetings on Monday to prepare members for a one-day protest on Tuesday.
This protest will be followed by a national protest on July 18 in Abuja, after which a full-blown strike may be initiated.
A circular issued to all branch chairmen of university and inter-university centers, signed by NASU General Secretary Prince Peters Adeyemi and SSANU President Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, outlined the outcome of the meetings with the Ministers of Education, Labour, and Employment.
The circular expressed disappointment in the government's failure to commit to the payment of the withheld salaries and other grievances.
"The National Body of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of NASU and SSANU met on Thursday, 4th July, 2024, to appraise and take position on the current situation in respect of the withheld four months’ salaries and other grievances of our members in university and inter-university centers.
“Unfortunately, the engagement with the Minister of Education has not shown any convincing commitment on the payment of the withheld salaries and resolution of other pending grievances of the JAC of the two unions,” the circular read.
The JAC further highlighted their frustration with the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, noting that the Honourable Minister of State was not available to meet with them, leaving the Permanent Secretary unable to make any commitments on their issues.
In light of these developments, JAC has planned a series of industrial actions:
1. Monday, July 8, 2024: All branches of NASU and SSANU will hold a general meeting to sensitize members to the government’s insensitivity.
2. Tuesday, July 9, 2024: A one-day protest will be held simultaneously at each branch, with full participation from members and media coverage.
3. Thursday, July 18, 2024: A national protest will take place in Abuja, after which JAC will announce the date for a potential strike action.
The unions have called on their members to participate fully in the scheduled protests, emphasizing the need to hold the government accountable for their promises and to ensure the fair treatment of all university staff.