SSANU, NASU to Begin Protest on Thursday
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) will embark on a nationwide warning strike on Thursday.
The unions said they are embarking on a one-day nationwide protest over the Federal Government’s failure to address their demands.
Operating under the Joint Action Committee (JAC), both unions directed all branches to hold emergency meetings on Wednesday to mobilize members. Planned activities include campus marches, placard displays, and press briefings.
The decision follows a review of government responses during a JAC meeting on October 6, after repeated ultimatums expired without resolution. Key issues include alleged unfair disbursement of the N50bn earned allowances, delays in renegotiating the 2009 FGN/NASU/SSANU agreements, non-payment of two months’ salaries, outstanding arrears on 25 and 35 percent salary increments, and unremitted third-party deductions for May and June 2022.
JAC had initially given a seven-day ultimatum on September 15, later extended by 14 days, which ended on Monday, October 6.
In a circular titled “Commencement of Protest Actions,” dated October 6 and signed by NASU General Secretary Prince Peters Adeyemi and SSANU National President Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, the unions directed full participation.
The memo stated: “Following the inauguration of the Joint Consultative Committee by the Honourable Minister of Education to look into JAC demands, the committee met twice — on Friday, 19th September, and Monday, 6th October — with little progress. Our demands remain unresolved despite the extended ultimatum. In light of this, all branch leadership nationwide are directed to convene a joint congress on Wednesday, 8th October, to mobilize for a massive one-day protest on Thursday, 9th October 2025.”
Members in both federal and state universities were urged to comply strictly, with the unions stressing that unity and adherence are essential for success.
SSANU President Ibrahim accused the government of insincerity and warned of a potential indefinite strike if demands remain unmet. “Ours will not be the ‘mother of all strikes’; it will be the grandfather of all strikes,” he said, highlighting the financial, economic, and psychological hardships faced by non-academic staff.
Like ASUU, both SSANU and NASU have long been at odds with the Federal Government over staff welfare and university funding.