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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Culture & Society

Unilorin SSANU, NASU Join Nationwide Strike

From The Punch · (5m ago) English Critical tone

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) at the University of Ilorin have commenced an indefinite strike.
  • The industrial action is due to the Federal Government's alleged failure to conclude and implement the renegotiated 2009 agreement with non-teaching staff unions.
  • Unions are demanding a 45% salary increment and the full implementation of the agreement, rejecting the government's proposed 30%.

The University of Ilorin has ground to a halt as crucial non-academic staff, represented by SSANU and NASU, join a nationwide strike. This action underscores a deep-seated frustration among university workers who feel their contributions are undervalued and their demands consistently ignored by the Federal Government. The protest at the university's main gate, marked by placards demanding fair treatment and living wages, is a clear signal that patience has run out.

Today’s congress is basically on the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement, although we have pending issues which have lingered even before 2009. But the 2009 agreement has been the major issue, especially among the non-teaching staff in Nigerian universities.

— Prof. Falowo OlusholaChairman of SSANU, UNILORIN chapter, explaining the primary reason for the strike.

The core of the dispute lies in the protracted renegotiation of the 2009 agreement, a process that has dragged on for years. Unions point to a lack of decisive action from the government, even after issuing ultimatums. The demand for a 45% salary increment, rather than the 30% offered, reflects a significant gap in expectations and highlights the economic pressures faced by these essential workers.

We have always said non-teaching staff do not love to go on strike unless pushed to the wall.

— Prof. Falowo OlusholaEmphasizing the unions' reluctance to strike and the government's role in forcing their hand.

From our perspective at The Punch, this strike is not merely about salary increases; it's about recognition and fair reward for the critical roles non-teaching staff play. They are the backbone of university operations, managing everything from security and IT to finance and logistics. Their commitment and dedication, often demonstrated through continued service despite unresolved issues, deserve more than just broken promises. The government's approach risks further disrupting the educational sector, impacting students and the overall functioning of institutions like the University of Ilorin.

Today is May 4, and they are still calling for meetings to reconcile.

— Prof. Falowo OlusholaExpressing frustration over the government's continued delays despite expired ultimatums.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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