As of today, Nigeria’s higher education institutions face a complete halt as the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) have begun a nationwide strike. This action arises from grievances regarding unpaid 2022 arrears and perceived salary disparities between different university unions. Essential services within universities—including registry, bursary, maintenance, and student accommodations—have been halted, bringing campus administration to a standstill.
SSANU’s National President, Mohammed Ibrahim, noted that despite President Tinubu’s directive to release withheld salaries, SSANU and NASU members have not seen payments, while the government reportedly fulfilled this requirement for other unions like ASUU. Ibrahim further expressed disappointment with government responsiveness, stating that communication attempts have been ignored and suggesting a disregard for non-academic university staff. If demands are not met within seven days, union leaders warn of even more extensive disruptions to the academic calendar, intensifying the crisis for students and staff alike.
