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, as part of a nationwide demonstration against the Federal Government’s failure to address their long-standing demands.
The protest follows the expiration of a two-week ultimatum issued by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of both unions, urging the government to fulfill its commitments to university workers, particularly on welfare and salary-related issues.
The aggrieved non-academic staff are demanding, among other things, the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement with the Federal Government, the immediate payment of the 25% and 35% salary increases recently approved for university staff, and the settlement of all withheld salaries.
Chanting solidarity songs and carrying placards, the workers called on the government to act swiftly to prevent another round of industrial action that could disrupt academic activities across universities.
Some of the messages on their placards read:
“Pay Our Withheld Salaries Now,”
“Implement the 2009 Agreement,” and
“FG, Stop the Injustice — Treat All University Workers Fairly.”
The protest in Abuja mirrors similar demonstrations held simultaneously in other universities across the country, as SSANU and NASU insist they will not back down until the government meets their demands.
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