SSANU, NASU Begin Nationwide Protest Thursday, Threaten Strike
By DAYO ADESULU
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) will, on Thursday, October 9, 2025, embark on a nationwide protest to demand the immediate implementation of their long-pending agreements with the Federal Government.
Operating under the Joint Action Committee (JAC), both unions have instructed all university branches to hold joint emergency meetings on Wednesday to mobilise members ahead of the protest.
The planned demonstrations will take place simultaneously across campuses nationwide, featuring solidarity marches, placard displays, and press briefings aimed at drawing public attention to what the unions describe as government neglect of non-teaching university staff.
Unions List Key Grievances
SSANU and NASU have repeatedly accused the Federal Government of failing to honour several Memoranda of Understanding signed with the unions, particularly regarding:
- Payment of four months’ withheld salaries following the 2022 strike.
- Non-implementation of the new salary structure and earned allowances.
- Delay in payment of promotion arrears and other entitlements.
- Exclusion of non-teaching staff from welfare packages extended to academic workers.
A top SSANU official told The Cheer News that the protest would serve as a final warning before the unions proceed to a full-blown nationwide strike.
“We have been more than patient. Thursday’s protest is to show our collective frustration. The Federal Government must act now or risk a total shutdown of all universities. Enough is enough,” the source said.
Federal Government Reacts
In response to the planned protest, a senior official from the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, who pleaded anonymity, said the government was already engaging the unions to prevent a total breakdown in negotiations.
“Discussions are ongoing. We are hopeful both unions will reconsider the protest since the government is addressing some of their issues within the available resources,” the official stated.
However, union leaders insist that dialogue without action is no longer acceptable.
Protest May Escalate to Strike
The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of both unions held an expanded meeting in Abuja on Monday, where members voted overwhelmingly to begin mass mobilisation.
In a communiqué issued after the meeting, JAC warned that failure by the government to meet their demands after Thursday’s protest would lead to a comprehensive industrial action.
“Our patience is exhausted. The welfare of our members cannot continue to be sacrificed. After Thursday’s protest, if there’s no concrete response, we will proceed with strike action,” the communiqué read.
The nationwide protest marks the first coordinated action by both SSANU and NASU in 2025, reigniting tensions in the university system already burdened by funding challenges, poor infrastructure, and staff discontent.
The Federal Government is yet to issue an official statement regarding the unions’ next line of action.
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