The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) have announced plans to embark on a one-day nationwide protest on Thursday, October 9, to press home their long-standing demands from the Federal Government.
The unions, operating under the Joint Action Committee (JAC), said the protest became inevitable following the government’s failure to address critical issues despite several ultimatums.
In a memo dated October 6 and signed by NASU General Secretary, Prince Peters Adeyemi, and SSANU National President, Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, JAC directed all branches in universities and inter-university centres to convene joint congresses on Wednesday to mobilize members for the protest.
According to the circular titled “Commencement of Protest Actions,” members are expected to stage peaceful marches on campuses, display placards expressing their grievances, and hold press briefings to draw attention to their plight.
The decision followed a JAC meeting on October 6, where the committee reviewed the government’s response to its previous demands and ultimatums.
Among the key grievances are the alleged unfair disbursement of the N50 billion Earned Allowances, delays in renegotiating the 2009 FGN/NASU-SSANU Agreement, non-payment of two months’ outstanding salaries, unpaid arrears of 25 and 35 percent salary increments, and withheld third-party deductions for May and June 2022.
The unions recalled that they had earlier issued a seven-day ultimatum to the government on September 15, which was later extended by another 14 days, both of which expired without meaningful progress.
JAC noted that although a Joint Consultative Committee was inaugurated by the Minister of Education to address the issues, its meetings on September 19 and October 6 ended without tangible resolutions.
“In light of this development, the National JAC hereby directs branch leadership in universities and inter-university centres across the country to mobilize for a massive and effective one-day protest,” the memo stated.
The unions stressed that the action would be observed in both federal and state-owned universities, urging members to fully participate to ensure the protest achieves its intended impact.