Nigerian university’s workers, others issue strike threat over withheld salaries

Two key unions within Nigeria’s tertiary education sector have issued a stern warning to the federal government, demanding the payment of their four months’ withheld salaries within the next two weeks to avoid potential strike.

The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) conveyed their grievances in a letter addressed to the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, on Thursday in Abuja.

In their letter, titled “Re-Four Months Withheld Salaries: Demand for Immediate Payment,” NASU General Secretary Peters Adeyemi and SSANU President Mohammed Ibrahim expressed their frustration over the unpaid wages. They reminded the Minister of the unions’ previous one-week warning strike, which occurred from March 18 to March 24, as a protest against the withholding of salaries from May to August 2022.

The unions highlighted the series of correspondences and assurances they had received regarding the payment, noting their disappointment that the issue remains unresolved. They accused the government of insincerity and neglect toward the welfare of their members.

“The government has ignored the principles of collective bargaining and fostered an environment of distrust,” the unions stated. They emphasized that the ongoing silence and non-payment of salaries are causing significant unrest among their members across universities and inter-university centers.

The unions warned that the continued delay in payment is jeopardizing industrial peace and harmony on campuses. “We can no longer ensure industrial peace and harmony in university campuses,” they declared, demanding immediate payment of the withheld salaries within two weeks. Failure to meet this demand, they cautioned, would compel them to initiate a complete shutdown of universities and inter-university centres.