A collage photos of NASU, SSANU logos
By Tony Folarin
The meeting between the Federal Government and the Joint Action Committee of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, which took place on Thursday, ended in a deadlock.
The meeting, which was held at the Federal Ministry of Education, was led by former Minister of State for Education, Dr Yusuf Sununu, and aimed at discussing issues around the ongoing strike of the unions.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Nasir Gwarzo, was also in attendance at a meeting held at 11 am.
On Monday, the JAC of SSANU and NASU embarked on an indefinite strike over its four months of withheld salary.
Since then, activities have been grounded in universities across the country.
The National President of SSANU, Mr Mohammed Ibrahim, said that university executives, including vice-chancellors, bursars, and registrars, did not receive salaries for four months.
He said as a result, the universities would remain completely shut down until the payments were made.
A source at the meeting said, “We were simply given assurance that the money will be paid, but this is not the first time that assurance will be given, so we can’t just rely on assurances. Assurances aren’t enough to call off the strike.”
The Vice-President of SSANU, Abdussobur Salaam, said the Federal Government did not provide a specific date for the payment of their withheld salaries.
Salaam emphasised their stance on the ongoing strike, stating, “We informed the Federal Government that if it does not pay us, we will not resume work.
“The government responded by saying that money would be disbursed within the shortest possible time. However, we made it clear that we have received too many assurances in the past. We will not return to work until the government demonstrates genuine commitment by fulfilling its payment obligations.”
