PeakNews Online
Abuja, Nigeria – The Joint Action Committee (JAC), which includes the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), has issued a stern warning to the federal government.
The unions have threatened to shut down universities nationwide if their members’ four months of withheld salaries are not paid within the next two weeks.
In a letter to the Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, the unions accused the government of neglect and insincerity. The letter, titled “Re- Four (4) months withheld salaries: Demand for immediate payment,” was signed by NASU General Secretary Prince Peters Adeyemi and SSANU President Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim. The unions expressed grave concerns about maintaining industrial harmony within universities.
“The Honourable Minister would recall that the Joint Action Committee of NASU and SSANU embarked on a one-week warning strike between March 18th, 2024, and March 24th, 2024, to protest the denial of the arrears of four (4) months salaries withheld between May and August 24th, 2022,” the letter stated.
The unions reminded the minister of their previous communications and the government’s assurances regarding the payment of the withheld salaries. “We wish to express our regrets and dismay that up till date, the withheld salaries have not been paid to our members. We view it as an act of insincerity and neglect on the part of the Government to the yearnings and aspirations of our members,” they added.
Highlighting the government’s failure to honor the spirit of collective bargaining, the unions warned of rising agitation and discontent among their members. “The deafening silence of government and failure to pay the withheld salaries is creating a high level of agitations and contentions among our members in the Universities and Inter-University Centres such that we can no longer guarantee industrial peace and harmony on University campuses.”
The letter concluded with a clear ultimatum: “We therefore demand the immediate payment of the four (4) months withheld salaries to our members not later than two (2) weeks from the date of this correspondence, failing which we will be left with no option than to shut down the Universities and Inter-University Centres.”
The potential shutdown of universities threatens to disrupt academic activities across the country, further exacerbating the challenges faced by the educational sector. The unions’ demand for swift action underscores the urgency of resolving this issue to avoid a nationwide crisis in higher education.
