More Unions Join the Ongoing ASUU Strike

The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU) commenced their 14-day warning strike yesterday. The Academic Staff Union of Universities(ASUU) is six months gone in its ongoing strike with no tangible results.

A letter dated September 28th, 2020, signed by the General Secretary of NASU, Mr Peters Adeyemi, and SSANU President, Mr Samson Ugwoke was addressed to branch chairmen of both unions. It reads:

Kindly recall earlier information on the above subject matter wherein it was conveyed that the Joint Action Committee of NASU and SSANU would embark on a 14-day industrial action immediately universities resume following the COVID-19 lockdown.

Following the recent directives from the National Universities Commission (NUC) to Vice-Chancellors for the immediate resumption/safe reopening of universities, you are hereby directed to commence a 14-day warning strike effective from October 5 to 19, 2020.

Reasons for the Strike

• Inconsistencies of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) in the payment of salaries of their members.
• Non-payment of arrears of earned allowances being owed NASU and SSANU members despite various memoranda of understanding.
• Non-payment of arrears of national minimum wage to their members.
• Non-payment of retirement benefits to outgone members.
• Unseriousness and delays by the government in the renegotiation of the 2009 FG/NASU and SSANU agreement.
• Seizure of the headship of non-teaching units by academic staff in clear violation of conditions of service and establishment procedures.
• Neglect and poor funding of state universities.
• Corruption in the university system.

The unions issued a warning stating:

Pease note that this warning strike is a prelude to a full-blown, total and indefinite industrial action if the grievances highlighted above are not properly addressed.