SSANU Threatens Nationwide Shutdown of Universities Over Unpaid Salaries

 

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has issued a stern warning to the Federal Government, threatening to shut down universities nationwide.

This action is in response to the government’s failure to settle four months’ worth of salary arrears owed to its members.

In a press statement released on Friday, SSANU President, Mohammed Ibrahim articulated the union’s dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of the issue.

“So as very responsible leaders, what we have decided to do is that by Tuesday next week – that will be the ninth of July – we have directed our branches to hold protests all over the country in our branches to tell the world that something definitely is wrong somewhere that protest will take place in all our campuses,” Ibrahim declared while featuring on Channels Television’s -The Morning Brief programme monitored by Mega Icon Magazine.

SSANU, alongside the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), had previously embarked on a warning strike and recently issued a two-week ultimatum to the government to meet their demands.

However, according to SSANU, promises made by the Federal Government have not been met with corresponding actions, prompting the union to escalate its protest actions.

“And then, we will continue with the engagements. And then we will also have a grand protest in Abuja on the 18th of July where we will picket the office of the minister of education, the minister of labour who has not even shown any sign of seriousness on the matter,” Ibrahim added.

The impending protests are expected to disrupt activities on campuses across the country if the government fails to address the salary arrears promptly. SSANU’s threat underscores the urgency of the situation as it seeks to compel the government to fulfill its financial obligations to university staff.

The Federal Government is yet to issue an official response to SSANU’s latest ultimatum and planned protests.