University workers across Nigeria have pledged to maintain an indefinite strike following the Federal Government’s failure to address withheld salaries spanning several months. The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) stated that this protest includes top university officials, such as vice-chancellors and registrars, who also faced unpaid wages. JAC leadership expressed frustration at the lack of engagement from the government, despite reports of 98% compliance with the strike across public universities.
SSANU National President, Mohammed Ibrahim, emphasized that the strike will continue until the withheld salaries are disbursed, highlighting the extensive impact on university functions nationwide. “The impact is significant,” Ibrahim stated. “We have withdrawn our services, and our members are resolute; they will not return to work until all salaries are paid,” he added. The unions reported widespread compliance and no formal response from government authorities to address their grievances.
Adding to the rising tensions, the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) announced a nationwide protest scheduled for 6 November 2024, over a similar unpaid salaries issue. NAAT also declared a two-week ultimatum for the Federal Government to meet its demands, which include payment for academic technologists and funding for student training programs and university laboratory upgrades. Failure to act by the November 13 deadline could escalate the protest into a full-scale strike.
The protest by NAAT was sparked by what its President, Ibeji Nwokoma, called government “insensitivity,” as there has been no progress despite a presidential waiver approving salary payments. The withheld salaries, unaddressed since early 2024, continue to affect critical university operations. Nwokoma urged the Federal Government to take immediate action, citing repeated unfulfilled promises from government ministries.
University unions now await the incoming Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, to address these unresolved issues. With significant disruption looming over academic and research calendars, the unions remain firm in their demands, warning that the ongoing strike will persist if their concerns go unaddressed.
