Strike unavoidable after exhausting all options, says SSANU

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has declared that it was forced to embark on a nationwide strike after exhausting all efforts to resolve the issue of withheld salaries with the Federal Government.

SSANU President, Mohammed Ibrahim, disclosed this on Monday during an interview on Channels Television News Track programme, stressing that members had been “pushed to the wall” by unfulfilled promises and stalled negotiations.

The Joint Action Committee of SSANU and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) began the industrial action to demand payment of four months’ withheld salaries, improved remuneration, earned allowances, and the implementation of the 2009 agreements with the government. The strike has brought operations to a halt in universities nationwide.

Ibrahim recalled that several attempts to engage with the government had failed, forcing the unions to take drastic action. He explained, “In July, on the 17th, we organised multiple protests in Abuja. Later, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) raised the issue with the president during discussions about the new minimum wage.”

He added, “At that meeting, the president directed that 50% of the withheld salaries be paid. But three months have passed, and the promise remains unfulfilled. We also had meetings with the ministers of education, who assured us that the salaries would be paid, but nothing has changed.”

With the unions running out of patience, Ibrahim said SSANU and NASU members convened meetings across branches, leading to the decision to strike. “Our members were told to remain patient, but we have now reached the breaking point. All activities—bursary, registry, works and maintenance, security, and student affairs—are suspended until payments are made,” he stated.

The SSANU president indicated that the strike would be called off once payments are made. “The former minister of education made overtures to us before leaving office. This morning, I received a call from the minister-designate requesting a meeting. However, the strike is a process, and we will need to meet as union leaders before making any decisions.”

He clarified that although union leaders are currently outside Abuja, efforts are underway to organise a meeting. “If the government makes the payments today, the strike will be called off immediately since salaries are paid via electronic transfer,” Ibrahim concluded.