The Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU), along with the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) have announced plans to hold a nationwide protest on July 9, 2024.

In a circular co-signed by the NASU general secretary, Peters Adeyemi and the SSANU national president, Mohammed Ibrahim, in Abuja, on Sunday, both unions will fix a date for a nationwide strike after the protest.

“A ONE DAY protest should be held on Tuesday, 9th July 2024 at each branch simultaneously. Every branch should ensure that all members fully participate in the protest and that the Press/ media is adequately mobilised,” the circular read in part.

According to the circular, both unions directed their respective chairmen in all their branches across the country to mobilise all members for the demonstration, as well as another national protest slated for July 18, in Abuja.

The decision was arrived at on July 4 when the Joint Action Committee of the separate unions, met to decide their next action, after their meeting with the minister of labour, minister of education, permanent secretary, ministry of education and other officials of the ministry.

The meeting was over the four months’ salaries of their members in university and inter-university centres, withheld by the federal government, amongst other grievances.

The unions, however, expressed dismay that from the engagement, the minister “has not shown any convincing commitment on the payment of the withheld salaries and resolutions of other pending grievances of JAC of the two unions.”

They stated that, “the JAC was also at the Federal Ministry of Labour & Employment and as usual, the Honourable Minister of State was not on seat to receive us, as we were informed that she had an urgent call from the villa,” adding that, “the Permanent Secretary who stood in for her could not make any commitment on the issues raised.”

“In view of this disappointment and failure of Government to address grievances of NASU and SSANU, JAC has decided on a series of Industrial actions which include the following; All branches of NASU and SSANU should mandatorily hold a general meeting on Monday, 8th July, 2024 to sensitise members on the insensitivity of Government to our plights.

“A NATIONAL PROTEST will be held in Abuja on Thursday, 18th July, 2024 after which JAC will meet to announce a date when the strike action will commence. Further information will be communicated appropriately. Thank you for your anticipated cooperation in this regard.”