The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) have jointly announced the suspension of their nationwide indefinite strike, effective Tuesday, November 5, 2024.
The unions’ leaders, Prince Peters Adeyemi, NASU’s General Secretary, and Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, SSANU’s National President, confirmed the decision in a statement on Sunday.
The strike began on October 28, 2024, in response to what the unions described as the government’s “insensitivity” to their members’ demands, primarily regarding withheld salaries. After multiple high-level discussions with federal officials, including the new Minister of Education, the Minister of Finance, and the Accountant-General, the unions secured a commitment from the government to release part of the withheld salaries.
Specifically, the government agreed to stagger the payment of two out of the four months’ withheld salaries, with one month already released and the second expected by the end of November 2024.
The unions expressed gratitude to their members in universities and inter-university centers, commending their dedication throughout the industrial action. They directed branch leaders to inform members about the latest developments and encourage them to resume work on November 5, 2024.
Meanwhile, ongoing discussions address the remaining withheld salaries, N50 billion in earned allowances, arrears of the 25/35 percent wage increment, and a pending wage award.
