The Federal Government’s Thursday meeting with the Joint Action Committee of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) ended in a deadlock, leaving the ongoing strike unresolved.
The session, led by former Minister of State for Education, Dr. Yusuf Sununu, and attended by Education Ministry officials, aimed to address the unions’ demands, particularly the payment of four months of withheld salaries.
The indefinite strike, launched on Monday, has halted activities in universities nationwide. According to SSANU President Mohammed Ibrahim, key university staff, including vice chancellors, bursars, and registrars, have gone unpaid for months, creating significant disruption.
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The meeting’s outcome left union representatives unsatisfied, as assurances from government officials lacked specific timelines.
“Assurances aren’t enough to call off the strike,” said a source present at the discussions. SSANU Vice President Abdussobur Salaam affirmed that only a commitment to immediate payment would end the strike.
Following the meeting, Dr. Sununu expressed the government’s intention to stabilize the educational sector and address the unions’ concerns.
“We reviewed the reasons for the strike and briefed the unions on ongoing efforts,” he said, adding that the ministry is taking a “holistic approach” to resolve the issues.
The unions remain firm on their demands for withheld salaries, earned allowances, and the fulfillment of a 2009 agreement, which they claim the government has not honored.
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The ultimatum they gave to meet these demands expired Sunday, October 27, at midnight. The Ministry of Labour’s “No Work, No Pay” policy continues to fuel tension, further complicating the path to resolution.
Without a clear commitment from the government, the strike is set to continue, impacting universities across Nigeria.