Nationwide University Strikes: SSANU, NASU Unite, Demand Justice, Fair Treatment

As tensions mount across Nigerian universities, academic activities at the University of Abuja came to an abrupt halt on Monday as members of the Joint Action Committee (JAC), comprising the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), took to the streets in protest.

This protest, mirrored in institutions nationwide, serves as a clarion call to the federal government, demanding redress for long-standing grievances and fair treatment for university staff.

At the heart of the protests lies a fundamental demand for justice. Comrade Nureden Yusuf, the SSANU branch chairman at the University of Abuja, articulated the frustrations of staff members who have endured the withholding of salaries for four months, approved by President Bola Tinubu in October of the previous year. The failure to renegotiate the 2009 agreement, coupled with the neglect of SSANU and NASU members in salary disbursements, has fueled discontent among university staff.

Yusuf emphasized the indispensable role played by SSANU and NASU members in the smooth functioning of universities. Beyond teaching, these professionals are the lifeblood of administrative and support services, ensuring the efficient operation of academic institutions.

The protests underscore the invaluable contributions made by non-academic staff, often overshadowed in the discourse surrounding university affairs.

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The unrest witnessed at the University of Abuja is part of a larger wave of discontent sweeping across the nation’s universities. From Ondo to Taraba, staff unions are uniting in solidarity, demanding justice and fair treatment. The widespread participation in the strikes underscores the depth of frustration among university staff and the urgent need for government intervention.

Comrade Sadiya Hassan, the NASU branch chairperson at the University of Abuja, echoed Yusuf’s sentiments, highlighting the government’s role in precipitating the strikes. Beyond salary grievances, SSANU and NASU members are demanding the reconstitution of governing councils and recognition as professionals in their respective fields. The strikes serve as a collective outcry against systemic injustices and a plea for recognition and respect.

The strikes have not been confined to the University of Abuja alone. Institutions across the country, including Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Federal University Wukari, University of Jos, and University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), have joined the nationwide movement. The unified front presented by SSANU and NASU underscores their unwavering commitment to securing justice and fair treatment for their members.

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As the strikes enter their seventh day, the ball now rests in the court of the federal government. The resolute stance of SSANU and NASU members signals a determination to pursue their demands until justice is served. The government is urged to heed the calls for dialogue and swift resolution, lest the fabric of the university community fray beyond repair.

The nationwide strikes led by SSANU and NASU represent a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s higher education landscape. Beyond mere protests, they symbolize a collective quest for justice, dignity, and fair treatment. The resilience of university staff underscores their unwavering commitment to the noble cause of advancing education in Nigeria.