The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), both university unions on strike, have called on the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, to release their four months of withheld salaries, after President Bola Tinubu approved the payment.
The unions stated they would not engage in meetings or negotiations with the Federal Government, urging the finance minister to take necessary action and transfer the withheld salaries electronically to all members.
During an appearance on The Morning Show on Channels Television on Tuesday, SSANU President Muhammed Ibrahim explained that the President had given approval, and the Ministry of Education had communicated this. He emphasized that it is now the responsibility of the Ministry of Finance to fulfill its duty.
The President has given approval, and the Ministry of Education has communicated this approval. It now falls under the Ministry of Finance,” he stated. “The Finance Minister should simply take the necessary action. That’s all.”
The report states that on Monday, the unions began an indefinite nationwide strike across public university campuses, demanding the immediate payment of their four months’ withheld salaries.
The unions expressed frustration, saying it was unacceptable that, despite multiple ultimatums, the government had not responded positively.
They instructed members across all public universities and inter-university centers nationwide to “hold a joint congress on their respective campuses on Monday, October 28, 2024, and begin an indefinite, comprehensive strike with no concessions allowed in any form.”
SSANU President noted that while the government reached out to the unions on Monday, there was little optimism, given the previous unsuccessful negotiations.
He stated, “Yes, we’ve been contacted informally, but we aren’t very optimistic since we’ve experienced this multiple times before, though we hope this time will be different.
“There’s a quick, straightforward solution to this issue. All necessary processes and procedures have been completed. The only thing left is to make the payment.
“The government should simply authorize the release of these funds with the press of a button, since everything is now electronic.”
Once the payments are made, we’ll return to work. No one is pleased with the situation. Extended renegotiations won’t lead to any outcome. We want action.”
