The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities have agreed to temporarily end their nationwide strike for one month.
The strike suspension, announced on Sunday, will take effect from Tuesday, November 5, 2024.
The unions’ joint statement, signed by NASU General Secretary Prince Peters Adeyemi and SSANU National President Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, explained that the strike was due to withheld salaries and other unresolved issues with the Federal Government.
The unions began the strike on October 28, accusing the government of not addressing their “legitimate demands.”
The statement read, “The National leadership of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of NASU and SSANU acknowledges and commends our members… for their unwavering resolve, unrelenting determination, and steadfast support for the ongoing strike action.”
The unions said they have had extensive talks with government officials, including the new Minister of Education and the Minister of Finance, which resulted in an agreement for staggered payment of two months’ withheld salaries.
According to the unions, “One month [was paid] by the end of October, 2024, and the second month [is] to be paid by the end of November, 2024.”
Due to these commitments, NASU and SSANU leaders decided to suspend the strike. They instructed branch leaders to hold meetings on Monday, November 4, to inform members of the update and ask them to return to work the following day.
The unions also noted ongoing discussions about other unresolved matters, including payment of remaining withheld salaries, N50 billion in Earned Allowances, and other wage-related issues.
They closed by thanking members for their “total commitment and resoluteness during this struggle.”
