The Joint Action Committee of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities has announced the suspension of their nationwide strike.
This decision, detailed in a strike update sent to branch chairpersons across Nigeria on Sunday, follows the government’s partial release of previously withheld salaries.
The suspension came just one day after the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation confirmed that payments to union members had “commenced,” with several individuals reportedly receiving their arrears.
Initially, the unions had declared an indefinite strike starting Monday, protesting the federal government’s failure to disburse four months of withheld salaries dating back to 2022.
This action stemmed from grievances related to a “No Work, No Pay” policy that had impacted university staff during an eight-month strike by academic and non-academic university workers in 2022.
Although academic staff eventually received four months of their withheld salaries in February 2024, non-academic staff had yet to see their salaries restored, sparking escalated demands and strike threats from SSANU and NASU.
Efforts to resolve the issue included a meeting on Thursday between union representatives and the outgoing Minister of State for Education, Yusuf Sununu, alongside the ministry’s permanent secretary, Nasir Gwarzo.
However, negotiations concluded in a deadlock, with the unions refusing to compromise, demanding full receipt of withheld salaries before considering a strike suspension.
The breakthrough came when SSANU President Mohammed Ibrahim and NASU General Secretary Peters Adeyemi issued a joint statement on Sunday, explaining that the strike was being suspended in response to commitments secured during discussions with both the Ministers of Education and Finance.
According to the union leaders, the government agreed to release payment for two of the four withheld salary months. The first payment was scheduled for the end of October, with the second set for the end of November.
As a result, the unions suspended their strike for one month, effective from Tuesday, 5 November 2024.
Their statement read, in part, “In view of the level of commitment exhibited by the new minister and the leadership of the Department of State Service, the leadership of JAC, after several contacts and other patriotic consideration, hereby directs that the ongoing indefinite strike be suspended for one month, effective Tuesday, 5th November 2024.”
The union leaders also highlighted that discussions concerning the remaining two months of withheld salaries, along with other outstanding matters, are now active.
These include negotiations over the release of N50 billion for Earned Allowances, resolution of Arrears of 25/35 percent, and deliberations on a wage award.
The journey to this resolution was long and marked by frustration for SSANU and NASU members, who had continuously petitioned the government for equal treatment to that granted to academic staff earlier in the year.
When the government failed to act, the unions resorted to ultimatums, protests, and warning strikes, culminating in the indefinite strike last week.
