The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) has threatened to embark on a nationwide strike beginning May 1 if its ongoing allowance dispute with the Federal Government is not resolved before the deadline.
The union’s General Secretary, Peters Adeyemi, disclosed the planned industrial action while speaking with journalists during the regular meeting of the Universities and Inter-University Centres Trade Group Council held at Lagos State University.
Adeyemi said the planned strike would affect universities and inter-university centres across the country if government authorities failed to meet the union’s demands within the stipulated timeframe.
He warned that failure to resolve the dispute could disrupt academic and administrative activities nationwide, noting that non-academic staff play key roles in ensuring the smooth operation of tertiary institutions.
“The simple thing is to conclude the agreement and give the required increment. That will guarantee calm and peace on our campuses. If anything contrary is done, we will shut down the system,” he said.
Also speaking, NASU Deputy President, Buhari Suleiman, urged the Federal Government to urgently address challenges confronting the education sector, including inadequate funding, infrastructure deficits and insecurity.
He noted that unresolved labour issues and poor working conditions could further weaken the education system and affect service delivery in universities and inter-university centres.
Suleiman also called for urgent government intervention to improve workers’ welfare and prevent disruptions that could negatively impact students and academic activities nationwide.
Earlier, the Chairman of NASU, LASU Branch, Sanni Obafemi, said the meeting strengthened unity among members and provided an avenue to address issues affecting workers across tertiary institutions.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the union warned that failure to meet its demands before May 1 could lead to a nationwide shutdown of university support services.
