Olushola Omogbehin
Sequel to Federal Government’s failure to address long-standing demands affecting university workers, the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) have declared a one-day nationwide protest to draw attention of the government to their demands.
In the protest which is slated for Thursday, the two unions, under the Joint Action Committee (JAC), disclosed that all university branches have been directed to mobilise members in various campuses for the protest, which will include rallies, display of placards and press briefings to draw attention to their demands.
The decision to go on strike was taken after JAC reviewed what it called the Federal Government’s “unsatisfactory response” to a series of ultimatums issued earlier in the year.
Some of their unresolved issues are the alleged unjust disbursement of ₦50 billion Earned Allowances; Delay in renegotiating the 2009 FGN/NASU/SSANU Agreement; Non-payment of the outstanding two-month salaries; Non-payment of 25% and 35% salary arrears; and Non-remittance of third-party deductions from May and June 2022 salaries.
Earlier, JAC has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the government on September 15 which was later extended by 14 days but finally expired on Monday, October 6 without positive response from government.
In a release on October 6 signed by NASU General Secretary, Prince Peters Adeyemi and SSANU National President, Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, the unions gave directive that all members should participate in the protest.
“Following the inauguration of the Joint Consultative Committee by the Honourable Minister of Education to look into the demands of JAC of NASU & SSANU, the committee met twice on Friday, 19th September 2025, and Monday, 6th October 2025 with little progress, as our demands remain unresolved despite the extension of the ultimatum.
“In light of this development, the National JAC hereby directs branch leadership in universities and inter-university centres nationwide to convene a joint congress on Wednesday, 8th October 2025, to mobilise for a massive and effective one-day protest on Thursday, 9th October 2025,” the unions stated.
In addition, every member of the unions in both federal and state universities is expected to strictly comply with this directive so as to achieve the expected objectives.
