The main gates of the University of Ibadan (UI) were shut yesterday as members of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) joined a nationwide industrial action over the delayed renegotiation and implementation of a 2009 agreement with the Federal Government.

The peaceful protest, however, disrupted access to Nigeria’s premier university, with students, members of staff, and visitors stranded outside the campus.

The workers, who gathered at the entrance of the institution, expressed dissatisfaction over what they described as the prolonged government’s delay in addressing issues relating to welfare, salary arrears, and conditions of service.

Chairman of NASU, University of Ibadan branch, Oluwafemi-Michael Ogunlade, said the industrial action followed years of unresolved negotiations and repeated assurances that had not been matched with implementation.

He noted that the unions had issued several ultimatum notices over time, warning that continued delay in concluding the agreement was affecting staff’s welfare and the effective functioning of the university system.

Ogunlade added that members were compelled to take the action after exhausting all available avenues for dialogue, stressing that the unions remained open to meaningful engagement with the Federal Government.

The protesting workers, joined by SSANU members, called for urgent intervention to prevent further disruption to academic and administrative activities across public universities in the country.

They urged the Federal Government to expedite action on the pending agreement, warning that sustained delay could further strain operations within the university system.
ALSO, the strike action has paralysed academic and administrative activities at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria.

It was gathered that key facilities, including the Senate Building, the university’s library and sickbay, were under lock and key.

The Works and Estate Department was shut down, resulting in the disruption of water and electricity supply across the institution.

Chairman of SSANU, ABU branch, Shuaibu-Ahmed Halilu, while speaking during a peaceful protest at the university’s main campus, said the action complied with a directive from the national body.

Similarly, activities at the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) were, yesterday, disrupted as the non-teaching staff unions continued their nationwide indefinite strike, insisting on a 45 per cent salary increase and full implementation of the 2009 agreement.

Chairman of SSANU, UNILORIN chapter, Falowo Olushola, said the unions had rejected the Federal Government’s earlier 30 per cent salary proposal, describing it as unacceptable.