Non-teaching staff unions in Nigerian universities began an indefinite nationwide strike at midnight today, October 28, 2024.
The Joint Action Committee representing the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities instructed members across federal, state universities, and inter-university centers to participate fully.
The unions are demanding payment of four months’ withheld salaries, improved remuneration, earned allowances, and implementation of a 2009 agreement with the government. Despite multiple warnings, the government failed to act.
“It is quite appalling that we have issued several ultimatums with no positive result from the government,” the unions said.
They blamed the Ministry of Finance for delaying payments, even after President Bola Tinubu approved 50 percent of the withheld salaries. “The sincerity of government to our cause is in doubt,” the statement added.
Branch leaders will hold meetings today to ensure compliance, and state universities were advised to incorporate local demands into the strike. “We affirm our determination to persist in this struggle until ultimate victory is secured,” the unions stated.
—Ezinwanne Onwuka reports for TruthNigeria from Abuja.
