The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) have decided to suspend their planned indefinite strike action.
This decision comes after the unions, represented through their Joint Action Committee (JAC), led a successful nationwide protest on July 18, where they demanded the release of four months’ withheld salaries.
The unions had initially threatened an indefinite strike if their demands were not met, coinciding with President Bola Tinubu’s meeting with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
During this meeting, labour leaders highlighted the pressing issue of unpaid salaries, prompting the president to instruct immediate payment. However, with the one-week deadline passing without any disbursement and ongoing protests capturing public attention, SSANU and NASU opted for a temporary suspension of their strike.
In their circular addressed to branch chairpersons, the JAC emphasized the significance of the ongoing nationwide protests, stating that pursuing a strike could potentially dilute their own demands and lessen their visibility.
The union leaders, NASU General Secretary Prince Peters Adeyemi and SSANU President Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, reiterated their commitment to the cause while acknowledging the successful turnout of the recent protests despite police harassment.
The JAC’s communication underlined the expiration of a 10-day grace period granted to the Federal Government for the payment of the withheld salaries. They noted that while the president had directed relevant ministers to secure the necessary funds, no payments had been made thus far.
“Given the prevailing circumstances, it is not the opportune moment for an indefinite strike, as it could be overshadowed by broader national protests, thus failing to attract the attention we need,” the circular stated.
The JAC concluded that any further action regarding the indefinite strike would be postponed until after the national protests, allowing for a more informed decision to be made regarding their next steps.
This development highlights the intricate balance unions must maintain while advocating for their rights amid larger social movements, as the struggle for fair treatment continues in Nigeria.
