By Damilare Adeleye
The Joint Action Committee of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities has declared an indefinite strike effective from Monday.
This decision comes after the seven-day ultimatum given to federal government to address withheld salaries before Sunday midnight.
The strike was in response to government’s refusal to pay outstanding salaries, which led to the invocation of the ‘No Work, No Pay’ policy during the prolonged strike in 2022.
According to Mohammed Ibrahim, National President of SSANU, and Prince Peters Adeyemi, General Secretary of NASU, the government had been given ample time to resolve the issue.
The indefinite strike notice reads, “The last circular of the Joint Action Committee of Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities titled, ‘Latest Development in Respect of the Withheld Four Months’ Salaries’ referenced JAC/NS/VOL.III/32 dated 21st October 2024 refers.
“The circular under reference gave seven days to the Federal Government to do the needful in respect of our demands for payment of outstanding four months’ salaries and implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) sighed with the Federal Government on 20th August 2022 which expires midnight of Sunday, 27th October 2024.
“It is quite appalling that we have issued several ultimatums thereafter with no positive result from the Government, it is therefore obvious that Government is not positively disposed to our rightful and legitimate demands in spite of several interactions, dialogues, exchange of correspondences and assurances of payment all to no avail.
“We have exercised considerable and prolonged patience, allowing multiple deadlines to pass without receiving a satisfactory response to our demands by the Government.
“In view of this, this is to direct all our members in the Universities and Inter-University Centres throughout the country to hold a joint congress in their respective campuses on Monday, 28th October, 2024 and proceed on an indefinite, comprehensive and total strike action as no concession should be given in any guise.
“All the State-Owned Universities can also incorporate their local demands into this strike action as appropriate.”
“Your strict compliance and adherence to this directive is mandatory for all NASU and SSANU branches in both Federal and State-Owned Universities as well as Inter-University Centres,” it added.