The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Nigerian Universities and Allied Institutions are set to commence a nationwide strike today, Monday, to protest the withholding of their four months’ salary.

In a statement to The PUNCH, the National President of SSANU, Muhammed Ibrahim, confirmed the unions’ decision to embark on the strike.

However, the Minister for Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, claimed ignorance of SSANU/NASU’s planned strike. In a text message, he stated, “I am not aware of any planned strike. But I know the matter is receiving attention at the highest level of govt. I will get across to them.”

The Federal Government, implementing the no-work, no-pay policy, had withheld salaries of university workers after a prolonged strike in 2021. While salaries were released to members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities in February, SSANU and NASU were excluded.

SSANU leader, Muhammed Ibrahim, expressed frustration over the government’s inaction, stating, “Having waited patiently for the ultimatum to expire without any positive response from the government, this is to direct our members in the universities and inter-university centres throughout the country to commence a seven-day warning strike effective Monday, 18th March 2024 in the first instance.”

SSANU National Vice-President, Abdussobur Salaam, lamented the lack of communication from the government regarding the withheld salaries, saying, “We have not heard anything from the government; they are not saying anything about payment of the salaries, no promises, no negotiation.”