Members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU) have gathered at the Unity Fountain for a national protest. Some of the protesters have already arrived at the premises of the Unity Fountain, however, certain individuals have been prevented from entering by security personnel. Following some protests by the demonstrators, the gate has been opened, and the protesters have now obstructed the entrance to the Unity Fountain with their vehicles.
The protesters are demanding the immediate payment of their four months’ withheld salaries and the renegotiation of the 2010 agreement with the Federal Government, among other grievances.
Both unions, along with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), went on a prolonged strike in 2022. While SSANU and NASU went on a four-month strike, ASUU’s strike lasted for eight months. Despite President Bola Tinubu’s directive for the affected staff to be paid their four-month salaries, SSANU and NASU members allege that they have not received their wages, unlike ASUU members who were reportedly paid. Consequently, the unions have instructed their members to participate in a nationwide protest on July 9 at all state chapters, with a subsequent national protest planned for Abuja on Thursday 19 July.
