The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has temporarily stopped its ongoing strike after receiving part of the delayed salaries.
Union members said they received payment alerts on Friday for one month’s salary, which represents 25% of the four months’ pay owed by the government.
Vice-President of SSANU, Abdussobur Salaam, emphasized, “They should pay for the four months. If they paid just one month, that’s just 25 per cent of what they owe us.”
The strike, which began on October 28, 2024, led to halted activities in universities nationwide. However, after receiving one month of pay on Friday, the unions have directed their members to resume work starting Tuesday, November 5, 2024.
In a statement signed by SSANU National President Mohammed Ibrahim and NASU General Secretary Peters Adeyemi, the unions explained that they reached an agreement with the government for the remaining salaries. Another month’s pay is scheduled by the end of November 2024.
“Arising from the above and given the level of commitment exhibited by the new minister and the leadership of the Department of State Services, the leadership of JAC, after several contacts and other patriotic considerations, hereby directs that the ongoing indefinite strike be suspended for one-month effective Tuesday, 5th November 2024,” the statement reads.
Union leaders have instructed campus representatives to hold meetings on Monday, November 4, 2024, to update members about the recent developments and encourage them to resume work on Tuesday.
During the strike, union leaders met extensively with top officials, including the new Minister of Education, the Minister of Finance, and leaders from the Department of State Services, to discuss their demands.
They also acknowledged and thanked their members for staying firm in support of the strike.
The unions are seeking full payment of the withheld four-month salaries, better wages, earned allowances, and full implementation of the 2009 agreements with the government.
