Members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), on Thursday, staged a protest at the University of Abuja main campus, demanding urgent action from the Federal Government on lingering welfare-related issues.
The demonstration was part of a nationwide protest declared by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the two unions, following the expiration of a two-week ultimatum issued to the government.
The university workers are demanding the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement with the Federal Government, the immediate payment of withheld salaries, and the implementation of the 25% and 35% salary increment as approved earlier in the year.
Chanting solidarity songs and carrying placards with bold inscriptions such as “Pay Us Our Withheld Salaries Now!”, “FG, Honour Agreements Signed”, and “No Pay, No Work!”, the protesters decried what they described as the government’s consistent neglect of non-academic university staff.
Some of the placards also warned of an imminent industrial crisis in the nation’s university system if their demands are not met.
Addressing the protesters, a union leader at the University of Abuja said the government’s failure to act has left many members demoralised and unable to meet their basic needs.
“We are tired of empty promises. Our members are suffering, and the government must act now. This protest is just a warning — if nothing is done, we will shut down the system,” the official said.
The protest in Abuja was mirrored by similar actions at various public universities across the country, in what union officials described as a united show of displeasure with the Federal Government’s handling of their welfare.
As of press time, there was no official response from the Federal Ministry of Education or the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
