Despite a nationwide strike called by their national bodies, members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) at the University of Abuja reported for duty on Monday. The strike, announced to begin on October 28, 2024, is a response to the non-payment of four months’ salaries for university staff.
In a statement issued on Sunday, SSANU President Mohammed Ibrahim and NASU General Secretary Peters Adeyemi expressed their dissatisfaction with the government’s inaction, noting that multiple ultimatums had gone unaddressed. They urged their members across all public universities to hold joint congresses on Monday to formally announce the strike.
At the University of Abuja, union leaders were observed convening in a congress meeting to align with the national directive. However, many staff members chose to remain at their posts pending an official announcement from their local chapter. Sources indicated that local leadership might decide to proceed with the strike following the meeting.
Dr. Habib Yakoob, the university’s Director of Public Relations, confirmed the absence of any formal strike declaration. “As I speak, I am in my office, and staff are present and working. The SSANU branch at UniAbuja is currently holding a congress to decide on formally declaring the strike. Until they make that decision, work continues as usual,” he explained.
The unions’ decision comes amid a long-standing dispute over withheld salaries. On September 17, 2023, the Joint Action Committee of SSANU and NASU had issued a three-week ultimatum demanding the payment of outstanding salaries, warning of potential industrial action if their demands were not met. Previous protests and warning strikes had already been conducted to highlight their grievances.
