FG, striking varsity workers’ talks end in deadlock
The Federal Government’s negotiations with the Joint Action Committee of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) ended in a stalemate on Thursday.
The meeting, held at the Federal Ministry of Education and led by former Minister of State for Education, Dr. Yusuf Sununu, aimed to address the ongoing strike by the unions, which began due to the withholding of four months’ salaries for university staff.
In attendance was the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Nasir Gwarzo. Since the strike commenced on Monday, academic activities across universities nationwide have ground to a halt.
SSANU’s National President, Mohammed Ibrahim, noted that university executives, including vice-chancellors and registrars, had not received their salaries for four months, insisting that universities would remain shut until payments were made.
Sources from the meeting indicated that the government merely provided assurances regarding salary payments without committing to a specific timeline. “We can’t just rely on assurances; they aren’t enough to call off the strike,” one source stated.
READ ALSO: Withheld salaries: NASU, SSANU declare nationwide strike
Vice-President of SSANU, Abdussobur Salaam, reiterated their position, emphasizing that the government failed to give a definitive date for the payment of withheld salaries. He stated, “We informed the Federal Government that if it does not pay us, we will not resume work.”
The government’s response indicated that funds would be disbursed shortly, but Salaam highlighted that past assurances had not been fulfilled, reiterating the union’s determination to strike until their demands are met.
_Cc: The PUNCH_
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