SSANU, NASU’s warning strike causes disruption at UNN, Enugu campus
Story from Abubakar KADO
Academic activities at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and its Enugu campus were thrown into chaos by the seven-day warning strike initiated by the Senior Staff Association of Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU).
Ongoing examinations at both campuses were significantly impacted by the strike.
Students who were in the middle of exams were permitted to complete them, while those starting their afternoon papers were forced to abandon the exams mid-way as they were escorted out of classrooms.
Affected members of the striking unions also closed down various offices, including the Students Affairs department.
Several students expressed their concerns over the strike’s detrimental effects on their studies. Miss Ijeoma Edeh, a 400-level student at the Faculty of Environmental Studies, feared severe repercussions if the strike persisted, urging the government to address the situation promptly.
Likewise, Favour Obichili, a 400-level student in the Faculty of Architecture, appealed to the Federal Government to resolve the issues and meet the unions’ demands.
READ ALSO:SSANU, NASU calls for nationwide strike
SSANU and NASU initiated the warning strike through their national Joint Action Committee (JAC) in protest of the Federal Government’s failure to pay their members four months’ worth of withheld salaries from the previous strike in 2022.
Dr. Linus Akata, SSANU-UNN Chairman, addressed members during an emergency congress at UNN alongside Comrade Ekene Amu, NASU-UNN Chairman, where they emphasised the gravity of the strike and its total compliance directive from the national leadership.
The unions vowed to enforce a complete shutdown of administrative offices and essential services on campus during the strike period and warned of strict consequences for any member found disregarding the strike action.
Despite exhausting various avenues to resolve the salary payment issue, the unions reiterated their commitment to the warning strike and hinted at further action if their demands remain unmet after the seven-day period.
Members were advised to abide by the strike, report any threats or queries for not attending work, and await further instructions from the national body regarding the next steps to take after the strike concludes.
