Non-academic workers from public universities across Nigeria staged a one-day warning protest on Tuesday, demanding the payment of four months’ salary arrears. The protest was coordinated by the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU).
The peaceful demonstrations took place at various campuses, including the University of Lagos, University of Abuja, University of Ilorin, and the Federal University of Technology, Akure. Workers also protested at the Nigeria-French Language Village in Badagry, Lagos State. They carried placards with messages like “Pay us our withheld months’ salaries,” and “Non-teaching staff are important stakeholders of universities.”
NASU and SSANU have announced that their National Executive Committee (NEC) will meet tomorrow to discuss a national protest in Abuja if their demands are not met. This protest would be a precursor to an indefinite strike, potentially shutting down administrative functions in public universities nationwide.
At the University of Lagos, non-academic workers marched from the Senate Building to the main gate, chanting solidarity songs. Abdussobur Salaam, National Vice-President of SSANU, and Gbenga Adenaiya, Acting Chairman of the branch, accused the Federal Government of being insensitive to the workers’ plight. They highlighted that despite a previous warning strike, the government has failed to address issues dating back to 2009.
In Abuja, the Chairman of UNIABUJA-NASU, Nurudeen Yusuf, and his SSANU counterpart, Makolo Hassan, called on Education Minister Tahir Mamman to address their concerns. They criticized the government for selectively implementing presidential directives to the advantage of academic staff, leaving non-teaching staff unpaid.
Felix Adubi, Chairman of the Joint Negotiating Council (JAC) of SSANU at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, condemned the government’s “divide and rule” tactics. He appealed to President Bola Tinubu to fulfill his promises and prevent further crises in the university system.
Non-academic staff at the University of Ilorin and the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, echoed these sentiments. UNILORIN NASU Chairman Zubair Ibrahim criticized the inconsistent payment system, while SSANU Chairman Olushola Falowo lamented the government’s insensitivity. At FUOYE, NASU Acting Chairman Ayeni Abraham expressed frustration with unfulfilled promises and unproductive negotiations.
In Nsukka, SSANU Chairman Linus Akata and his NASU counterpart Ekene urged the government to release the withheld salaries and meet other demands. They warned that the government would be held responsible if the unions proceed with a nationwide indefinite strike.
Protesters emphasized the financial hardship caused by the non-payment of salaries. Eric Eze, NASU Chairman of the Enugu campus of the University of Nigeria, called on the Federal Government to reduce the cost of governance and allocate more funds to public universities. He also condemned the perceived injustice of paying academic staff while neglecting non-teaching staff.
The protests highlight a long-standing issue in Nigerian universities, where non-academic workers feel marginalized and neglected. With the potential for a nationwide strike looming, the situation underscores the urgent need for the government to address these grievances and ensure fair treatment for all university staff.
