The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) chapter at the Federal University of Lafia in Nasarawa State has actively joined a nationwide protest initiated by the national leadership, citing the federal government‘s failure to meet their demands.
Under the leadership of Comrade Daniel Dajen, the branch chairman, members gathered yesterday to demonstrate across the university campus situated along Makurdi Road, Lafia.
Protesters carried banners with messages such as “Release Our Withheld Salaries as Endorsed by Mr. President,” “Settle Our Earned Allowances Now,” and “We Demand Respect, Not Marginalization,” among others.
The Joint Action Committee, representing both SSANU and NASU, instructed all local branches to hold emergency meetings to ssanu-nasu-nationwide-protests-october-9/” title=”Breaking News: … and NASU Set to Ignite Nationwide Protests on October 9!”>rally members for coordinated nationwide protests.
The core grievances highlighted by the union leaders include the alleged unfair distribution of N50 billion in earned allowances, delays in renegotiating the 2009 Federal Government and NASU/SSANU agreements, unpaid salaries for two months, outstanding arrears of 25% and 35% salary increments, and the non-remittance of third-party deductions for May and June 2022 salaries.
Addressing the press, Comrade Dajen voiced frustration over the federal government’s renegotiation committee’s prolonged silence and lack of progress on the 2009 FG/SSANU agreement.
He emphasized that the ₦50 billion earned allowances approved since 2022 remain unpaid, despite the passage of several years.
Furthermore, he criticized the ongoing withholding of salaries from SSANU members who took part in the 2022 industrial strike, urging the immediate payment of the two months’ withheld salaries as a sign of goodwill and a step toward restoring peace within the university system.
Comrade Dajen cautioned that failure by the government to resolve these issues could jeopardize industrial peace across university campuses nationwide.
