The meeting between the Federal Government and the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) ended in a deadlock on Thursday.
Led by former Minister of State for Education, Dr Yusuf Sununu, the meeting at the Federal Ministry of Education sought to address issues surrounding the unions’ ongoing strike.
The unions, which began an indefinite strike on Monday over four months of withheld salaries, have effectively halted university operations across Nigeria.
SSANU’s National President, Mohammed Ibrahim, indicated that key university officials, including vice-chancellors and bursars, have not received pay for four months, and universities will remain closed until salaries are disbursed.
During the meeting, government representatives assured that funds would be released soon, but union leaders expressed skepticism, citing past unmet promises.
SSANU Vice-President Abdussobur Salaam stated, “We informed the Federal Government that we will not resume work until payments are made.”
Dr. Sununu, appointed by Minister of Education Dr. Tunji Alausa to lead the discussions, told journalists that efforts were underway to address the unions’ demands comprehensively, aiming for a stable and lasting solution.
The unions have demanded payment of withheld salaries, improved remuneration, earned allowances, and implementation of the 2009 agreements with the government.
A circular issued by NASU and SSANU leaders, Ibrahim and Peters Adeyemi, warned that the ultimatum given to the government expired at midnight on October 27, 2024.
The government had invoked a “No Work, No Pay” policy in 2022 when university-based unions embarked on a similar strike.
