Nigerian universities face a looming strike threat from their non-academic staff as payment disparities ignite tensions across campuses. Senator Shehu Sani, a vocal political commentator and former lawmaker, raised the alarm on his verified Twitter account, drawing attention to the impending crisis.
Sani's tweet highlighted a significant disparity in the recent payments made by the government. While university lecturers received their salaries, non-academic staff and other university workers were left unpaid. This discrepancy has fueled discontent among the unpaid staff, who are now threatening to embark on a strike if their grievances are not addressed by tomorrow.
The tweet read: "University lecturers were paid. University staff and workers were not paid. They are threatening to embark on a strike tomorrow. The minister is notified. The FG must avert this. Because of incessant strikes, most fresh graduates now look elderly."
This situation emphasuzes a recurring issue within Nigeria's educational sector: the frequent strikes that disrupt academic calendars and prolong students' time in universities. Over the years, strikes by both academic and non-academic staff have been a persistent challenge, often stemming from unresolved issues related to salaries, allowances, and working conditions.
Sani's commentary adds a poignant note on the impact of these strikes on students. The former senator lamented that many fresh graduates appear older than their age due to the repeated academic disruptions and prolonged stays in universities caused by these strikes.
The federal government, particularly the Minister of Education, has been urged to address this issue promptly to prevent the strike. With the deadline looming, the government's response will be crucial in determining whether universities will once again be plunged into chaos.