The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) have jointly declared a one-day nationwide protest scheduled for Thursday, expressing their frustration over the Federal Government of Nigeria’s failure to address long-standing welfare and funding issues affecting their members.
The unions, operating under the Joint Action Committee (JAC), have directed all branches across the country to hold emergency congresses on Wednesday to mobilize for the protest. The demonstrations will feature campus marches, placard displays, and press briefings designed to draw attention to their grievances and compel the government to act.
Okay News reports that the decision came after an extensive review of government actions and unfulfilled promises during JAC’s meeting held on October 6, 2025.
According to the committee, several issues remain unresolved despite repeated ultimatums. These include the alleged unfair sharing of the ₦50 billion earned allowances, delays in renegotiating the 2009 agreement between the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) and the unions, non-payment of two months’ outstanding salaries, arrears from 25 and 35 percent salary increments, and the government’s failure to remit third-party deductions for May and June 2022.
The unions previously issued a seven-day ultimatum on September 15, later extending it by 14 days, which expired on October 6 without any meaningful progress. As a result, a circular titled “Commencement of Protest Actions” was released, signed by NASU General Secretary, Prince Peters Adeyemi, and SSANU National President, Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, directing total compliance by all members.
The circular read partly, “Following the inauguration of the Joint Consultative Committee by the Honourable Minister of Education to look into the demands of JAC of NASU and SSANU, the committee met twice — on Friday, 19th September 2025, and Monday, 6th October 2025 — with little progress, as our demands remain unresolved despite the extension of the ultimatum.”
It further instructed all branches in universities and inter-university centres nationwide to convene a joint congress on Wednesday, October 8, to prepare for the protest scheduled for Thursday, October 9. The unions stressed that compliance across all state and federal institutions was mandatory, emphasizing the importance of solidarity among members.
SSANU President, Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, also expressed frustration with the government’s approach, describing it as insincere. He warned that if the issues were not resolved promptly, the unions might resort to an indefinite strike. “Ours will not be the ‘mother of all strikes’; it will be the grandfather of all strikes,” he declared. “When SSANU or NASU strikes, you know what it means. We must take our destinies in our hands.”
Ibrahim lamented the worsening welfare conditions of non-academic university staff, saying they were among the worst hit financially, economically, and psychologically. He stressed that both unions have shown great patience and understanding, but their goodwill is being taken for granted.
The standoff between the unions and the Federal Government of Nigeria mirrors similar disputes with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), which has also consistently demanded improved welfare and funding for tertiary institutions. Observers warn that the continued neglect of university workers’ welfare could plunge the education sector into another prolonged crisis if immediate steps are not taken to address the grievances.
The upcoming protest signifies the deepening frustration within Nigeria’s university system as non-academic workers push for equity, fairness, and better living conditions amid economic hardship.
