FG Responds To SSANU, NASU Threat Of Fresh Strike

FG Responds To SSANU, NASU Threat Of Fresh Strike

The federal government has reacted to the looming threat of a strike by the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), assuring continued engagement with the university-based labour unions……READ ALSO FG Initiates Probe Into 107 Universities Over Alleged Fake Results, Seeks Nigerians Suggestion

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, addressed the matter while speaking to reporters regarding the potential strike action by the unions.

Recall that SSANU and NASU had issued a warning of a seven-day strike starting March 18, 2024, stating their intention to close university hostels and disconnect power if their demands are not met by March 18.

Following the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, Idris clarified that while the issue was not discussed during the meeting, the government was actively dealing with it.

He emphasized the government’s commitment to engaging with the unions to find a lasting solution to the problem, stating, “Government will continue to engage them (SSANU and NASU). All the associations involved in that (planned strike), government will continue to engage them to find lasting solution to the problem.”

When questioned about the exclusion of SSANU, NASU, and NAAT from President Bola Tinubu’s directive to pay salaries withheld due to the “No work, no pay” policy during the 2022 strike, Idris reiterated the government’s intention to engage with the unions to resolve the issue.

He assured that the government respects all workers in Nigeria and will take necessary steps to ensure that everyone receives their rightful entitlements.

However, Idris did not provide a specific response regarding the exclusion of SSANU, NASU, and NAAT from the directive to pay salaries, stating, “Government will take every right step it deems necessary to ensure that everybody gets whatever is legitimate to him or her.”