The situation in Nigeria’s university system is becoming increasingly precarious as the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Other Associated Institutions (NASU) has signaled the possibility of resuming a suspended strike due to unresolved issues concerning four withheld salaries by the Federal Government.
During the ongoing National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja, NASU General Secretary Prince Peters Adeyemi expressed the union’s frustration, stating that members’ patience has worn thin. While he did not specify an exact date for the resumption of the strike, he indicated that the decision would be made during the meeting.
Adeyemi criticized the government’s failure to act on President Bola Tinubu’s directive to pay two of the withheld salaries, highlighting a disconnect between the president’s intentions and the actions of his aides, particularly the Minister of Finance. He remarked, “What is new is that the President’s directive has been disobeyed,” suggesting that the current inaction reflects a broader disrespect for the president’s authority and could provoke significant unrest in the educational sector.
He further explained that previous warnings had been issued to members about the potential consequences of striking but noted that the continued delays in salary payment indicate a lack of commitment from the Finance Ministry. Adeyemi emphasized the need for immediate action, stating, “There is no reason for not paying this money. I think this is a big disrespect for the president and an attempt to provoke an industrial upheaval in an atmosphere that is cool and calm.”
The backdrop to this impending crisis includes President Tinubu’s earlier directive in October 2023, which aimed to address grievances stemming from a prolonged strike initiated under former President Muhammadu Buhari. However, the union members had previously engaged in a warning strike in March 2024 over the Ministry of Finance’s refusal to implement the presidential directive, reflecting ongoing tensions and dissatisfaction within the educational workforce.
The situation remains critical, and unless addressed promptly, the resumption of strikes by NASU could further destabilize Nigeria’s university system, which has already faced numerous disruptions in recent years.