The nationwide strike by non-academic staff in Nigeria’s public universities continued on Monday after a meeting with the Federal Government ended without agreement.
Members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), under the Joint Action Committee (JAC), have shut down key services across campuses.
The talks, held on Monday, ended in a deadlock, with both sides unable to reach a compromise. Sources said discussions would resume today (Tuesday) at 3:00 p.m.
The indefinite strike, which began on 30 April, has paralysed operations in public universities nationwide, with clinics, administrative offices, hostels and other support services closed.
At the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID), authorities have postponed ongoing e-examinations because of the disruption. At the University of Jos (UNIJOS), workers staged a peaceful protest on Monday over unresolved welfare issues and delays in renegotiating agreements with the government.
The strike followed the expiration of a one-month ultimatum issued by SSANU and NASU, demanding the conclusion of negotiations on the 2009 agreement covering non-teaching staff.
The unions have rejected the Federal Government’s unilateral 30 per cent salary increase, insisting on a 40 per cent adjustment. They also accused the government of sidestepping the collective bargaining process required under labour laws.
Sources at the meeting said government officials explained the withdrawal of the earlier 30 per cent offer and urged the unions to suspend the strike while discussions continued.
However, union leaders declined to commit, saying they needed to consult their respective organs, leading to the adjournment of the meeting.
Speaking earlier, SSANU National President, Mohammed Ibrahim, described the strike as fully effective nationwide.
“It’s very effective — total shutdown for now,” Ibrahim said. “All clinics, administrative blocks, hostels, departments, faculty offices, admin offices, finance offices, even those providing so-called essential services, have been ordered to withdraw.”
He insisted the unions were seeking fairness, maintaining that their minimum demand remained a 40 per cent increase.
“Our position remains the same: we’ve asked for equity, consideration and fairness, so nothing has changed,” he said. “We will go and listen to them at the meeting, but the strike is on.”
In a memo, the Office of the Vice-Chancellor at UNIMAID said the examination postponement was due to the strike.
“In view of the non-teaching staff strike, the above exams will be rescheduled until the current strike is suspended,” the directive, signed by the Exams and Time-Table Coordinator, Prof. Dani Mamman, stated.
At UNIJOS, protesting workers marched from the main gate to the Senate Building, chanting solidarity songs and displaying placards.
SSANU Chairperson at UNIJOS, Anthony Jauro, criticised what he described as disparities in staff welfare.
“Our advice to the government is that creating division among staff welfare in the university system is not good. Why create disparity? Are you trying to create a crisis?” he asked.
He added that while some unions had concluded negotiations earlier in the year, others were still being sidelined.
Also speaking, NASU Chairperson at UNIJOS, Monday Danjuma, accused the Federal Ministry of Education of bias.
“My call is that the Federal Government should do the needful. We want them to know that the Minister of Education is taking sides and creating division within the university system,” Danjuma said.
The unions insisted the strike would continue until their demands are met and negotiations on the 2009 agreement are concluded.
