The Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities and Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions have directed their members across the country to mobilise for a nationwide protest.
In a circular directed to all branch chairmen of the two unions and made available to the media in Abuja on Sunday, the unions said the protest would commence on July 9, 2024, across the state chapters of the federation, and a national protest in Abuja on July 18.
The circular was jointly signed by the General Secretary of NASU and the National President of SSANU, Peters Adeyemi, and Mohammed Ibrahim, respectively.
The unions said the said the protest follows the recent breakdown of dialogue between the Joint Action Committee of the two bodies and the Ministers of Education and Labour and Employment.
The statement read, “The National body of the Joint Action Committee of NASU and SSANU met on Thursday, 4th July 2024, to appraise and take a position on the current situation in respect of the withheld four months’ salaries and other grievances of our members in University and Inter-University Centres.
“Similarly, the National JAC, on invitation, met with the Minister of Education; Honourable Minister of State for Education; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education; other top officials of the Ministry and National Universities Commission.
“Unfortunately, the engagement with the Minister of Education has not shown any convincing commitment to the payment of the withheld salaries and resolutions of other pending grievances of JAC of the two unions.
It is also disheartening that the JAC was also at the Federal Ministry of Labour & Employment, and as usual, the Honourable Minister of State was not on seat to receive us, as we were informed that she had an urgent call from the villa. The Permanent Secretary who stood in for her could not make any commitment on the issues raised.”
According to the circular, the unions said they had decided on a series of industrial actions following the failure of the Federal Government to address their grievances.
It added, “In view of this disappointment and failure of government to address grievances of NASU and SSANU, JAC has decided on a series of Industrial actions which include the following; All branches of NASU and SSANU should mandatorily hold a general meeting on Monday, 8th July, 2024 to sensitise members on the insensitivity of government to our plights.
“A one-day protest should be held on Tuesday, 9th July 2024, at each branch simultaneously. Every branch should ensure that all members fully participate in the protest and that the media is adequately mobilized.
“A national protest will be held in Abuja on Thursday, 18th July 2024, after which JAC will meet to announce a date when the strike action will commence. Further information will be communicated appropriately. Thank you for your anticipated cooperation in this regard.”