NASU, SSANU to Begin Nationwide Protest Tuesday

By Iyojo Ameh

The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) have announced a nationwide protest set to begin on Tuesday.

This decision follows the recent breakdown of dialogue between the ministers of education and labour, and the joint action committee of the two bodies.

The unions had met with the ministers of education, labour, and employment, as well as representatives from the National Universities Commission (NUC), last week Thursday.

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss and address the unions’ grievances and to persuade them not to proceed with the planned industrial action.

In a circular issued on Sunday, the unions said the protest will commence on 9th July 2024, across the state chapters of the federation.
The circular noted that a national protest will hold in Abuja on 18th July.

The circular reads, “The National body of the Joint Action Committee (JAC)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 (4) four months’ salaries and other grievances of our members in University and Inter-University Centres.

“Similarly, the National JAC on invitation met with the Honourable Minister of Education; Honourable Minister of State for Education; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education; other top officials of the Ministry and National Universities Commission [NUC].

“Unfortunately, the engagement with the Minister of Education has not shown any convincing commitment on 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.

“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 sensitize 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 Press/ 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.”