The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) have called on their members to prepare for a nationwide protest commencing on Tuesday, July 9, 2024.
According to PUNCH, this decision follows a breakdown in negotiations between the unions and the Ministers of Education and Labour.
In a circular addressed to all branch chairmen and released to the media in Abuja on Sunday, the unions outlined their plans for the protest. The document, signed by NASU General Secretary Prince Peters Adeyemi and SSANU National President Comrade Mohammed H. Ibrahim, details the unions' grievances and the timeline for their planned actions.
“The National body of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of NASU and SSANU met on Thursday, 4th July 2024 to appraise and take a position on the current situation in respect of the withheld (4) four months’ salaries and other grievances of our members in University and Inter-University Centres,” the circular stated.
The unions recounted their recent meetings with the Honourable Minister of Education, the Minister of State for Education, and other high-ranking officials from the Ministry of Education and the National Universities Commission (NUC). Despite these discussions, the unions found the government's responses unsatisfactory.
“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 JAC of the two unions,” the statement continued.
Efforts to engage with the Ministry of Labour and Employment also proved unfruitful. The unions reported that the Minister of State was unavailable, and the Permanent Secretary who stood in could not provide any concrete commitments regarding their issues.
In light of these frustrations, NASU and SSANU have decided to initiate a series of industrial actions. On Monday, July 8, 2024, all branches are instructed to hold general meetings to inform their members about the government's perceived insensitivity. This will be followed by a one-day protest across all branches on Tuesday, July 9, 2024.
“A ONE DAY protest should be held on Tuesday, 9th July 2024 at each branch simultaneously. Every branch should ensure that all members fully participate in the protest and that the Press/ media is adequately mobilized,” the circular emphasized.
The unions also announced plans for a national protest in Abuja on Thursday, July 18, 2024. Following this demonstration, the Joint Action Committee will meet to set a date for an indefinite strike action if their demands are not met.
The circular concluded with a call for solidarity and cooperation from all union members in the forthcoming protests, signaling a critical period of industrial action aimed at addressing longstanding grievances.