ABUJA — The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) held a nationwide protest on Thursday to draw attention to unresolved issues affecting non-teaching university workers.
The unions said the protest was meant to spotlight years of unfulfilled promises and the government’s continued neglect of workers’ welfare in universities and inter-university centers.
Speaking during the protest at Yakubu Gowon University, Abuja, SSANU Chairman and JAC leader, Comrade Nurudeen Yusuf, said the demonstration was a renewed call for justice and fairness in the university system after years of stalled negotiations.
He noted that several agreements dating back to 2009 have yet to be implemented, despite numerous meetings and committees — including those chaired by Babalakin and Yayale Ahmed — producing no real results.
“This is the longest labor negotiation in history. Non-academic staff continue to suffer from government insensitivity,” Yusuf said.
He listed key issues behind the protest, including the unfair sharing of ₦50 billion in earned allowances, non-payment of two months’ salaries from 2022, unremitted third-party deductions, and the government’s failure to pay wage award arrears ranging from 25 to 35 percent.
Yusuf added that despite meetings with the Minister of Education on September 19 and October 6, there had been no meaningful progress, forcing the unions to take to the streets.
“We even extended our ultimatum twice to allow for dialogue, but the government has not shown any real commitment,” he said.
NASU President, Dr. Makulu Hasan, shared similar concerns, condemning the government’s persistent neglect despite repeated warnings and calls for dialogue.
He criticized how the ₦50 billion earned allowances were shared, saying SSANU and NASU got only 20 percent, with some members completely left out.
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Hasan demanded the immediate payment of all withheld salaries and wage awards, urging the government to fulfill its promises and restore fairness and peace to the university system.
Protesters carried placards with messages such as “Honor Your Agreements,” “Pay Our Earned Wages,” and “End Empty Promises.”
