The Senior Staff Union of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), representing non-teaching staff in public universities across Nigeria, is poised to initiate a one-week warning strike starting Monday, March 18, 2024. This was disclosed by the union’s vice president, Dr. Abdussobuur Salaam, in a conversation with SaharaReporters on Monday morning. Dr. Salaam indicated that the union’s decision for the strike followed a resolution at its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting last week. He stated, “We have declared a seven-day warning strike effective from the 18th of March, which is next Monday pending due process within the rank of the union and also pending discussion with our sister union, NASU. But as far as SSANU is concerned, the National Executive Council (NEC) on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday had resolved that as a union, we will be embarking on a week-long warning strike to press home our demands which had been neglected by the government since 2022.”
Dr. Salaam further mentioned the possibility of escalating to an indefinite strike should the government fail to address their demands during the warning strike. “After the expiration of the warning strike, we will assess the situation again and make a decision (whether to go on an indefinite strike or not).”
The union has expressed its frustration, emphasizing that its members are not to be treated as slaves but should be compensated for their contractual obligations. This sentiment was voiced by SSANU National President, Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, during the 47th National Executive Council meeting at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Ondo State. Comrade Ibrahim highlighted the need for the government and employers to honor their agreements with the union. He also pointed out that President Bola Tinubu faces internal opposition within his administration, stating, “President Bola Tinubu should be aware that he has saboteurs in his government, who are bent on frustrating his good intentions.” He urged President Tinubu to cleanse his administration of such individuals and appoint those willing to support his leadership goals.
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