On Monday, the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) revealed that it embarked on the ongoing nationwide strike because they “have been pushed to the wall.”
This was said by the National President of the SSANU, Mohammed Ibrahim, on Channels Television’s News Track on Monday.
According to him, together with the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), they decided to embark on the strike as a last resort after several attempts and meetings with government officials to resolve the challenges that had hit the rocks.
News About Nigeria earlier reported that the group commenced the indefinite nationwide strike within campuses of public universities on Sunday to demand the immediate release of their four months’ withheld salaries.
Speaking on this, the SSANU National President said, “We have made several efforts to engage with the government to resolve the situation. Even before the extension we made on the 23rd, there were several extensions given. Recall that this is not a new issue. In July, precisely on the 17th, we had several protests in Abuja. Thereafter, NLC took over the matter to the president when they discussed the new minimum wage. It was at that meeting that the president gave the directive that 50 percent of the four months be paid, which is four months. But three months later, the promise has remained elusive. We have had several discussions with the ministers of education, and they assured us, but, the promise remains elusive.
“So for now, we have been pushed to the wall because we have exhausted all avenues of resolving the issue, including asking our members to be patient. So, our members have met in different branches and strikes have commenced. Going forward, all departments in the bursary, registry, works and maintenance security and student affairs have been put on hold until payments are made. Several overtures were made by the previous minister of education. And even this morning, I received a call from the minister-designate, making an effort that we meet. But the strike is a process, and the leadership of SSANU and NASU will have to meet.”
