The industrial action initiated by non-teaching staff in public universities has entered its second day, with more institutions joining the strike on Tuesday. This nationwide strike was called by the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Allied Institutions (NASU) in response to ongoing issues, including four months of delayed salaries.
Institutions like the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and other universities in the South-East, which were unable to participate in the strike on Monday due to local sit-at-home orders, officially joined the action on Tuesday. A lecturer at UNN noted the significant disruption the strike has caused on campus, stating, “The strike by the non-academic staff started today here on campus at UNN. The sit-at-home observance did not allow it to begin Monday as people stayed at home.”
At the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), members of SSANU and NASU also officially joined the indefinite strike. The chairman of NASU at UNILORIN, Zubair Haruna Ibrahim, confirmed the action, emphasizing that they would not return to work until their demands were met. He pointed out the disparity in payments, noting that while members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) received partial payments, non-teaching staff remained unpaid.
Statement from SSANU President
Comrade Mohamed Ibrahim, the National President of SSANU, expressed frustration over the government’s lack of communication regarding their issues. He stated, “Nobody from the side of the government has reached out to us. The claim by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Education that they are disappointed in us for the action we took is out of point. What do they expect us to do? Have we not been patient enough?”
Ibrahim reiterated that the strike would continue until their salary issues were resolved, underscoring the vital role of non-teaching staff in the university system. As the strike progresses, administrative activities across affected universities remain paralyzed, with essential services halted as unions demand the release of withheld salaries and equitable treatment