By Innocent Oweh

Copyright independent

Innocent Oweh

Members of the Non Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) are spoiling for a showdown with the Federal Government over some unresolved issues.

To this end, both unions have threatened to down tools, and has written the Federal Government calling for intervention within a seven day period.

Part of the grievances of NASU and SSANU revolves around alleged unjust disbursement of N50billion Earned Allowances;Non-Payment of Outstanding Withheld Salaries and 25/35% Salary Increments; as well asRenegotiation of Year 2009 FGN and NASU/SSANU Agreements.

In a joint letter written to the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa to intervene before the seven day expiration of an ultimatum, Prince Peters Adeyemi, General Secretary, NASU and Com. Mohammed Ibrahim, President, SSANU accused the Minister of lackadaisical approach to their grievances.

“Despite our repeated efforts to draw your attention to address concerns affecting our members in the Universities and Inter- University Centres, there appears to be nothing positive forthcoming from your office.

“In light of the persistent unresolved issues, and the apparent lack of responsiveness from the Government to our legitimate concerns, we are compelled to serve a formal notice of seven (7) days effective from Monday, 15th September, 2025 to address our agitations, failing which members of NASU and SSANU would embark on a series of legitimate industrial actions including strikes to press home our demands,” both Unions threatened.

Both Unions recalled the 4th July, 2025 meeting, convened by the Ministry to resolve all outstanding complains which failed to yield positive results.

Highlighting their greivances, they wrote“The Honourable Minister of Education would recall that vide a letter dated 18th June, 2025, the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of NASU and SSANU had drawn your kind attention to the need for an urgent intervention in outstanding labour matters affecting our members.

“Our letter led to the convening of a meeting by the Honourable Minister of Education with JAC of NASU and SSANU on 4th July, 2025 with a view to addressing the issues raised in our letter.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the issues raised in the letter centred on: Unjust Disbursement of N50Billion Earned Allowances; Non-Payment of Outstanding Withheld Salaries and 25/35% Salary Increments; and Renegotiation of Year 2009 FGN and NASU/SSANU Agreements.

“The Honourable Minister would recall that at the 4th July, 2025 meeting to address the aforestated issues, there was a resolution to the effect that a Tripartite Committee comprising representatives from the Federal Ministry of Education, National Universities Commission and JAC of NASU and SSANU would be constituted to resolve the impasse which had arisen due to the skewed distribution of the N50Billion Earned Allowances in which our members in the Universities were shortchanged, while those in the Inter-University Centres were completely shut out of the distribution.

“While there was no conclusion at the 4th July, 2025 meeting on the issue of payment of two months’ outstanding withheld salaries owed our members, you pledged to set machinery in motion to expedite action on the issue of payment of arrears of 25/35% salary increments owed our members.

“Sequel to the 4th July, 2025 meeting, there was a reminder letter dated 18th August, 2025, owing to the silence or deliberate decision by your office not to address issues affecting Non-Teaching staff in our Universities and Inter-University Centres.

“It is equally important to note that the renegotiation of Year 2009 FGN and NASU/SSANU Agreements is being delayed. It is on record that Alhaji Yayale Ahmed led Renegotiation Committee inaugurated on 15th October, 2024 to review the 2009 Agreements with the University Based Unions only had inaugural meeting with JAC of NASU and SSANU on 10th December, 2024.

“Since then the Federal Government Team has gone into limbo with the Non-Teaching Staff Unions, whereas information at our disposal confirmed that the same Federal Government Team has already concluded renegotiation with our counterpart, the Academic Staff Union in the sector and at the verge of signing an agreement while the Federal Government Team has refused to engage the Non-Teaching Staff Unions and even sidelined us despite fulfilling all justifications including re- submission of our Memoranda of Demands.

“We brought this to your attention during our 4th July, 2025 meeting and you promised to intervene for the Committee to expedite action. Regrettably, we are yet to see progress”.