Emmanuel OchayiThe meeting aimed at resolving the standoff between the Federal Government and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU) ended without a breakthrough on Wednesday, prolonging the ongoing strike in universities across Nigeria.
“Strike continues,” affirmed Muhammed Ibrahim, the National President of SSANU, as discussions between the government and union representatives hit an impasse.
SSANU and NASU initiated a nationwide strike lasting seven days in protest against the withholding of their four-month salaries by the Federal Government in 2021, citing the administration’s adherence to the ‘No work; no pay’ policy.
Former President Muhammadu Buhari’s government had enforced this policy, retaining the salaries of union members during their strike period.
Although the current administration under President Bola Tinubu released the withheld salaries of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), SSANU, and NASU felt neglected.
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Despite appeals to the Tinubu government for the release of their withheld salaries, SSANU and NASU’s requests went unanswered, prompting the unions to resort to industrial action.
The strike, which commenced on Monday, significantly disrupted academic activities nationwide, as university campuses came to a standstill.
The deadlock in negotiations signifies a deepening rift between the government and the unions, with neither side yielding ground on the contentious issue of withheld salaries.
Government officials have yet to provide a statement following the unsuccessful meeting, leaving uncertainty looming over the prospect of a swift resolution to the strike.
Meanwhile, students and academic staff remain caught in the crossfire, facing disruptions to their education and research activities amidst the ongoing deadlock.
The stalemate underscores the urgent need for constructive dialogue and compromise between the Federal Government and the unions to avert further escalation of the crisis and restore normalcy to the country’s universities.
