Why SSANU stands firm on strike threat

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has decided to proceed with its planned statewide strike, citing unmet demands, according to SSANU President Mohammed Ibrahim during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday.

SSANU’s resolution comes amid mounting threats to hostel operations, power supply, and university academic activity if the Federal Government fails to address issues by the March 18, 2024, deadline.

One of the major issues Ibrahim raises is the failure to pay 2022 arrears, which affects not only SSANU members but also high-ranking university administrators such as Vice Chancellors, Registrars, and Bursars. This financial setback has exacerbated already-existing conflicts within the educational system.

Ibrahim expresses severe anger with the government’s preferential treatment of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) over SSANU and the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU).

Ibrahim said: “To surprise you, even Vice Chancellors are involved in this because VCs have not been paid, registrars have not been paid, and bursars have not been paid.”

Despite previous commitments, SSANU and NASU have been ignored, increasing the divide between university faculty and the government.

“Shutting down the university is clearly beyond how it will affect the students because it’s everybody; there will be no electricity, there will be no water, there will be no security, there will be no hostels for students, and there will be no administration,” he said.

The impending seven-day warning strike declared by SSANU and NASU, which begins on March 18, emphasises the government’s urgent need to address the unions’ concerns.

Failure to do so risks further destabilising the nation’s higher education system and interrupting the academic calendar.