Four days into the seven-day warning strike, the Federal Government has invited the Joint Action Committee of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) for talks over their ongoing strike.
SSANU’s Vice President Abdussobur Salaam confirmed that the union received an official invitation from the Federal Government on Wednesday night.
He said: “We received a formal invitation last night. The meeting is scheduled for 11 a.m. today. It will be presided over by the Minister of State for Education and will be held in the Minister’s Conference Room.”
Persecondnews recalls that the unions under JAC began an indefinite strike on Monday, October 28 due to four months of unpaid salaries, which resulted in a nationwide shutdown of university activities.
The unions are demanding, among others, the payment of the four-month withheld salaries, improved remuneration, earned allowances, and implementation of the 2009 agreement with the government.
Speaking earlier, Mr. Mohammed Ibrahim, SSANU’s National President, said top university officials, including vice chancellors, bursars, and registrars, also hadn’t been paid, further impacting university operations.
He said that 98% of members complied with the strike, and they will not return to work until their demands are met.
Ibrahim said: “It is a long-term battle because this strike also involves vice chancellors, bursars, registrars, and other senior administrators who were not paid.
“The impact is significant, and no one from the government has reached out to us. We have withdrawn our services, and our members are resolute they will not return to work until all salaries are paid.”
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