Protests Rock Public Universities in Nigeria As SSANU Begins Warning Strike Over Unpaid Salaries, Disrupts Activities

By: Abdulwasiu Akintunde 

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) began it's planned warning strike on Tuesday, disrupting administrative operations in public Universities across the country.

OPEN TELEVISION Naija gathered that this action aims to pressure the Federal Government into meeting their demands. At the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Senior Staff, Akoka, protested at the main gate with placards, urging the government to take necessary action. At the Federal University of Agriculture (FUNAAB) Abeokuta, staffers were also affirmed sighted bearing placards in protest while Administrative activities were disrupted.

SSANU's Vice President for the South West, Comrade Abdussobor Salaam, informed the newsmen at the UNILAG protest that there was full compliance with the strike across Federal and State Universities. 

Salaam expressed dissatisfaction with the Federal Government for failing to implement the 2009 agreement and withholding salaries despite numerous promises. 

He stated, “We signed an agreement with the Federal Government in 2009, but only about five items have been implemented. We have been engaged in endless discussions. The agreement includes a provision for a review every two years, which has not been done.”

“We were invited in August 2022 after our National strike and signed a non-victimization clause, but our members’ salaries were stopped. Our Staff Union members were paid for only four months,” he added. 

Salaam further revealed that during a meeting with the Minister of Education, the Minister acknowledged that stopping SSANU members’ salaries was an error and promised it would be rectified. 

Salaam mentioned that last week, SSANU met with the Education Minister, who informed them that he had sent a memo to the President in March regarding the withheld salaries. 

He announced that on July 18, SSANU would hold a National protest in Abuja and picket several strategic government offices. 

He added that if the Federal Government failed to meet their demands, the union would embark on a national strike. 

"The reports from Federal and State Universities indicated full compliance with the National Executive Council (NEC) directive on the strike," Salaam finalised.