Workers suspend strike as varsity resumes activities

Normalcy is set to return to Federal Universities as the striking non-academic workers of the Joint Action Committee (JAC), which includes the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), have announced the suspension of their indefinite nationwide strike concerning four months of withheld salaries.

According to a circular sent to all NASU and SSANU branches, the suspension will take effect tomorrow, November 5, 2024. The circular, titled “Update on Indefinite Strike Action,” was signed by Prince Peters Adeyemi, General Secretary of NASU, and Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, National President of SSANU.

In contrast, the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) announced that it will continue with its planned nationwide protests and picketing of the Federal Ministry of Finance unless about 50 percent of the five months of withheld salaries are paid as promised by the end of their two-week ultimatum. This ultimatum, which started on October 30, is set to expire on November 13. NAAT’s President, Ibeji Nwokoma, confirmed that members have only received one month of the approximately three months they were owed.

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Meanwhile, the JAC’s circular to NASU branch chairpersons in universities and inter-university centers stated that the suspension of the strike will last for one month, pending the government’s payment of the remaining month of the two months of withheld salaries that they have agreed to pay. The government has committed to paying 50 percent of the four months’ salaries, with one month already disbursed over the weekend.

The circular announcing the strike’s suspension expressed gratitude to members for their unwavering support during the industrial action, which began on October 28, 2024, due to the government’s neglect of their legitimate demands. It noted that extensive discussions had taken place with various government officials, including the new Minister of Education, the Minister of Finance, and the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, among others.