The Federal Government will meet with the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities and the Joint Action Committee of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions today (Thursday) at 11 a.m. to discuss the ongoing strike.
On Thursday morning, SSANU Vice-President Abdussobur Salaam told PUNCH Online that the Federal Government had formally invited the union on Wednesday evening.
“Last night, we got an official invitation. Today’s meeting is set at 11 a.m. The Minister of State for Education will preside over it, and it will take place in the Minister’s Conference Room,” he stated.
Due to four months of unpaid salaries, the unions under JAC went on strike for an extended period on Monday, which caused university operations to be suspended nationwide.
Top university officials, such as vice-chancellors, bursars, and registrars, have also not received their salaries, which further affected university operations, according to SSANU National President Mohammed Ibrahim.
98% of members, he continued, complied with the strike and will not go back to work until their demands are fulfilled.
He said, “It is a long-term battle because this strike also involves Vice-Chancellors, bursars, registrars, and other senior administrators who were not paid. The impact is significant, and no one from the government has reached out to us. We have withdrawn our services, and our members are resolute they will not return to work until all salaries are paid.”