Non-academic university staff across Nigeria launched an indefinite strike on Monday, shutting down federal universities and disrupting essential services in response to the government’s continued delay in releasing their four months of withheld salaries.
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Allied Institutions (NASU) directed their members to cease work after multiple unfulfilled promises by the government to address their concerns.
The strike, which affects millions of students across the nation, began as union branches held congresses to formalize the directive from national leadership.
SSANU and NASU’s Joint Action Committee expressed frustration at the government’s lack of action on salary arrears, which they argue has been unfairly handled between teaching and non-teaching staff.
Despite repeated demands, the salaries withheld during a 2022 strike involving both academic and non-academic staff have not been fully paid, particularly to non-academic workers.
In Lagos, SSANU’s University of Lagos (UNILAG) branch chairman, Olugbenga Adenaiya, confirmed to VANGUARD that his branch had unanimously agreed to adhere to the national directive.
“This morning (yesterday), we held a congress where our members decided to follow the directive of the national leadership. It was unanimously agreed that the strike would be total and indefinite. We cannot be treated like slaves in our country. Remember that we went on strike early this year and it was suspended because the government promised to pay the withheld salaries, but that has not been the case.
“It is just a matter of continuing the strike we suspended the other time. All offices and essential services provided by SSANU and NASU members have been put on hold until further notice,” he said.
Similarly, at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), SSANU Chairman Felix Adubi reported that his branch had also joined the strike.
Expressing frustration, Adubi told VANGUARD, “We held our congress this morning (yesterday) and it was resolved that we go on strike as directed by our national body. The government cannot say we have not tried enough. We went on strike, just like the teaching staff also did and you have paid some of the withheld salaries of academic staff and what about us?
“The saying is that what is sauce for the goose is also sauce for the gander. We won’t budge until our demands are met. Government is yet to address some issues raised in our earlier interactions with them, then this discriminatory stance of petting some people and treating others as inconsequential. We are not going to take it easy with them,” he said.
At the University of Abuja, union members were present at work on Monday, as a congress was ongoing to formalize the strike’s commencement.
Director of Public Relations Dr. Habib Yakoob explained that while activities had not been entirely halted, a congress meeting was being held to decide whether to join the strike fully.
He said: “Well,as I speak with you now, I am in my office and some people are here.
“But you know today (yesterday) is when the University of Abuja branch of SSANU is going to have a congress to formally declare the strike. Now, whether they have eventually declared the strike in line with the directive of the national body or not is not what I can probably share with you because they are still having the meeting. But at the moment, staff are in their various offices working. I’m here with my staff but that is not out of place since they have not formally declared the strike. They are still having a meeting here.”
This strike has resulted in immediate effects at universities across Nigeria. At Bayero University Kano (BUK), semester exams have been put on hold, and other essential services such as new student registration have been paused. SSANU and NASU workers, who are responsible for running key administrative functions and municipal services, have withdrawn their support, effectively paralyzing campus operations.
