On Thursday, the Joint Action Committee (JAC) representing the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) organized a demonstration in Abuja. The protest called for the urgent enforcement of several longstanding agreements made with the Federal Government.
The rally took place at Yakubu Gowon University (formerly University of Abuja) and similar protests are currently unfolding across multiple university campuses nationwide.
Leading the Abuja protest were Comrade Nurudeen Yusuf, SSANU chairman at Yakubu Gowon University, alongside Comrade Sadiya Ibrahim Hassan, NASU chairperson of the same institution.
The unions accused the Federal Government of neglecting their concerns, displaying insincerity, and repeatedly violating collective agreements established since 2022.
Speaking to the press in Abuja, Comrade Yusuf emphasized that the protest became necessary after numerous ignored appeals, warnings, and deadlines issued to the government.
The unions highlighted six unresolved issues driving the ongoing demonstrations: the overdue renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/NASU/SSANU agreements, failure to pay the approved 25% and 35% salary increments, and unfair distribution of the N50 billion earned allowances.
Additional grievances include the non-payment of two months’ ssanu–nasu-nationwide-protests-october-9/” title=”Breaking News: … and … Set to Ignite Nationwide …s on October 9!”>withheld salaries from 2022, failure to remit third-party deductions, and the general disregard for the welfare of non-teaching university staff.
The unions traced their frustration back to the delayed renegotiation of the 2009 agreements, which were intended to be reviewed every three years but have remained stagnant since 2012.
They pointed out that multiple committees have been established over the years without yielding any concrete results.
Union leaders described the process as a repetitive cycle of meetings that fail to produce meaningful progress.
“This assembly aims to highlight the worsening crisis within the university sector affecting our members. Unfortunately, the government’s broken promises have compelled us to make this public declaration to alert all stakeholders in our universities and inter-university centers. The current situation is unsustainable due to the government’s lack of commitment to addressing the challenges faced by NASU and SSANU members,” Yusuf stated.
NASU Chairperson Comrade Sadiya Hassan criticized the government’s habit of forming new committees instead of honoring existing agreements, which has only deepened mistrust between the parties.
“Our most recent engagement with the government was on October 6, following a prior meeting on September 22. Instead of resolving the issues, they established another committee-the Expanded Yayale Ahmed Committee.
“These matters do not require additional committees. The government already possesses all necessary data. The immediate priority should be releasing the withheld salaries and arrears as a demonstration of good faith,” she added.
The unions refuted claims by the Minister of Education that 80% of government commitments had been fulfilled, insisting none of the six key demands have been addressed.
“That assertion is inaccurate. The renegotiation of the 2009 agreement remains pending, salary increments are unpaid, withheld salaries are outstanding, third-party deductions have not been remitted, and the earned allowances issue remains unresolved. So, where is this 80% fulfillment?” they challenged.
Joining the protest in solidarity, NASU National President Dr. Makolo Hasan condemned the marginalization of their members as a blatant violation of the 2022 collective bargaining agreement.
Dr. Hasan noted that the unions had repeatedly given the government opportunities to act, issuing a series of ultimatums starting with a one-week warning strike in September, which was subsequently extended by two additional weeks.
“Despite these extensions, no commitments have been honored. Our patience has limits. This protest serves as a warning, but if the government continues to ignore us, we will be forced to escalate our actions,” he warned.
Both union leaders cautioned that their tolerance is waning and urged the government to take immediate steps to prevent a potential nationwide shutdown of the university system.
