The President of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Mohammed Ibrahim, has made it clear that the ongoing strike will only be called off once union members receive notifications regarding their owed salaries. This statement highlights the union’s firm stance on the issue, emphasizing the importance of salary payments to its members.
During an interview on Channels TV’s Politics Today, Ibrahim expressed the frustrations of SSANU and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU). He revealed that the unions declared the strike due to the non-payment of four months’ worth of salaries, which began on Sunday night. This situation has left many members feeling undervalued and neglected by the government.
Ibrahim pointed out that the salaries of union members are currently stuck with the Ministry of Finance, leading to the decision for an indefinite strike. He asserted that the unions have been shortchanged and have made numerous attempts to resolve the issue, but have faced significant obstacles in getting their concerns addressed.
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The union leader mentioned that they had scheduled meetings with the relevant ministers to discuss the matter. However, he stressed that the core issue is not merely about meeting with officials but rather about the urgent need for payment of the overdue salaries. The members are seeking tangible action rather than discussions without resolution.
Ibrahim noted that they have made every effort to engage with the Minister of Finance but have had little success. He emphasized that the strike did not arise suddenly; it is a culmination of ongoing frustrations and unmet demands from the union’s members. Adequate notifications have been sent to the government, and they expect acknowledgment of the situation.
In his comments, Ibrahim confirmed that they were contacted recently by Dr. Yusuf Sununu, the former Minister of State for Education, on behalf of the new minister. A meeting has been scheduled for later in the week to address the salary issues. However, he reiterated that merely meeting is not sufficient; the primary concern is the actual payment of the owed salaries.
Ibrahim assured that if the payment procedures are followed promptly, the union could potentially suspend the strike within 24 hours. He expressed confidence that they would refer back to their principal after the meeting to discuss the next steps regarding the strike.
In conclusion, the ongoing strike reflects the deep-seated issues faced by non-academic staff in Nigerian universities. The unions demand respect and timely payment for their services, and until these conditions are met, they remain resolute in their actions.
