The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has stated that its members will not end the ongoing strike until they receive payment notifications for their outstanding salaries. SSANU President Mohammed Ibrahim made this declaration during an interview on Channels TV’s Politics Today on Monday.
The strike, launched jointly by SSANU and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU), stems from the government’s failure to pay four months of owed salaries, with industrial action commencing on Sunday night.
Ibrahim expressed frustration over the delay, noting that SSANU and NASU had been “shortchanged” by the government, with their salaries withheld by the Ministry of Finance. He confirmed that the unions had attempted to meet with relevant ministers but stressed that “the issue is not about meeting; it’s about receiving the backlogged salaries.”
“This strike didn’t happen suddenly,” Ibrahim emphasized. “We have made our demands clear, and the government was given ample notice. No one in the government can claim ignorance of this situation.”
He acknowledged recent contact from former Minister of State for Education, Dr. Yusuf Sununu, who is acting on behalf of the new minister, and mentioned a scheduled meeting within the week. However, Ibrahim reiterated that only immediate payment would bring an end to the strike.
“Unless we get alerts [for payment], the strike continues,” he affirmed.
