The Federal Government is set to meet with the Joint Action Committee of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities today at 11 a.m.
The meeting, arranged after an official invitation was sent to the unions on Wednesday night, will take place in the Minister of State for Education’s Conference Room.
“We received a formal invitation last night,” Abdussobur Salaam, SSANU Vice-President, confirmed. “The meeting is scheduled for 11 a.m. today.”
This meeting follows an indefinite strike by the unions, which began on Monday over withheld salaries, leaving universities nationwide at a standstill. SSANU’s National President, Mohammed Ibrahim, revealed that essential university officials, including Vice-Chancellors, bursars, and registrars, have also been unpaid for four months.
“The impact is significant,” Ibrahim explained, emphasizing the strike’s strength. “Our members are resolute they will not return to work until all salaries are paid.”
According to Ibrahim, compliance with the strike is high, with 98 percent adherence across the country. The unions are demanding the payment of withheld salaries, improved remuneration, earned allowances, and the implementation of agreements reached with the government in 2009.
In a statement, Ibrahim and NASU General Secretary Prince Peters Adeyemi noted that the ultimatum for the government to address these demands expired Sunday at midnight. They warned that the universities would remain closed until these issues were resolved.
