By our Reporter
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions have declared a one-day protest on Thursday over the inability of the Federal Government to address their demands.
SSANU and NASU, through the Joint Action Committee have directed all their branches to convene a joint emergency meeting on Wednesday to mobilise all their members for protest activities, which include protest marches on campuses, the display of placards conveying their grievances, and press conferences.
The decision to embark on a protest was reached by JAC on October 6, after a comprehensive review of the government’s response towards the series of ultimatums it had earlier issued.
The contentious issues are the alleged unjust disbursement of N50 billion Earned Allowances; delay in renegotiation of the 2009 FGN and NASU/SSANU Agreements; non-payment of outstanding two months salaries; non-payment of arrears of 25 percent and 35 percent salary arrears, and non-payment of third-party deductions of the two months salaries (May and June, 2022), among others.
Recall that JAC had issued a seven-day ultimatum to the government on September 15 to address its concerns and extended it to another fourteen days, which expired on Monday, October 6.
In a memo to all Chairmen of NASU and SSANU in universities and Inter-University Centres, titled “Commencement of protest actions,” JAC stated that their active participation and engagement are crucial to the success of the protest.
The circular, dated October 6, was signed by Prince Peters Adeyemi, NASU General Secretary, and Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, SSANU National President.
It reads,” The last circular of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational & Associated Institutions (NASU) and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) titled “Current Status of Our Agitations” referenced JAC/NS/Vol. III/55, dated 22nd September 2025, refers.
“As referenced in the circular, the Federal Government was granted a 14-day extension, following the lapse of the initial 7 days to address our concerns vis-à-vis.
“Following the inauguration of the Joint Consultative Committee by the Honourable Minister of Education to look into the demands of JAC of NASU & SSANU, the Committee met twice on Friday, 19th September, 2025, and Monday, 6th October, 2025, at the Permanent Secretary’s Conference Room, Abuja with little progress as our demands remain unresolved despite extension of the ultimatum.
“In light of this development, the National JAC at its meeting held on Monday, 6th October, 2025 hereby directs Branch leadership in the Universities and Inter-University Centres throughout the country to convene a Joint Congress in their respective campuses on Wednesday, 8th October, 2025 to mobilize and prepare for a massive and effective ONE-DAY Protest on Thursday, 9th October, 2025.
It further stated,“All members of NASU & SSANU in both Federal & State Owned Universities are expected to strictly comply with this directive. Your cooperation and strict adherence are essential to achieving success in our demands.”
The SSANU’s president, Ibrahim recently accused the government of being insincere with the union.
He warned that the strike would be total, indefinite and absolute if the government fails to address their demands.
“Ours will not be the ‘mother of all strikes,’ it will be the grandfather of all strikes, because when SSANU or NASU strikes, you know what it means. We must take our destinies in our hands,” Ibrahim said.
The SSANU chief lamented the conditions of service of university workers, saying they are the worst hit financially, economically and psychologically.
Just like the Academic Staff Union of Universities, SSANU and NASU have also been at loggerheads with the Federal Government over matters related to staff welfare.
