The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) on Thursday held a nationwide protest to demand the fulfilment of long-standing agreements with the Federal Government.
The demonstrations, which took place across universities and inter-university centres, sought to highlight what the unions described as decades of neglect and repeated breaches of commitments affecting non-teaching staff welfare.
At several campuses, including the Yakubu Gowon University in Abuja, members carried placards bearing messages such as “Honour Your Agreement,” “Pay Us Our Sweat,” and “No More Empty Promises.” The unions said the protest became necessary following several failed negotiations and unfulfilled assurances from the government.
Speaking to journalists during the demonstration, Mr Nurudeen Yusuf, Chairman of SSANU and the Joint Action Committee (JAC), expressed deep frustration over the government’s failure to implement agreements dating as far back as 2009.
“This is the longest labour negotiation in history. Non-academic staff have continued to suffer from the government’s insensitivity,” Yusuf said.
He noted that despite the work of several committees—including those led by Dr Wale Babalakin, Yayale Ahmed, and other expanded negotiation panels—no tangible progress had been made. According to him, recent meetings with the Minister of Education on 19 September and 6 October also ended without meaningful results, compelling the unions to embark on a peaceful protest.
“We have extended our ultimatum twice to allow for dialogue, but no meaningful response has come from the government,” he added.
Yusuf listed the unions’ key grievances, including the inequitable distribution of the ₦50 billion earned allowances, non-payment of two months’ withheld salaries from 2022, unremitted third-party deductions, and unpaid wage award arrears ranging between 25 and 35 per cent.
Also speaking, NASU President Dr. Makulu Hasan accused the government of repeatedly ignoring calls for justice and dialogue. He described the distribution of the ₦50 billion allowances as unfair, alleging that SSANU and NASU collectively received only 20 per cent, with some members completely excluded.
“The situation is unjust and unacceptable. We are only asking the government to honour its promises and restore fairness in the university system,” Hasan said.
The unions vowed to sustain their campaign until all pending issues are resolved and their members fully compensated.
