SSANU, NASU Declare One-Day Protest Over Unmet Demands

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) have declared a one-day nationwide protest for Thursday, October 9, 2025, over the Federal Government’s continued failure to meet their demands.

Acting under the Joint Action Committee (JAC), both unions have directed their branches across the country to hold emergency congresses on Wednesday, October 8, to mobilise members for protest actions on Thursday. Planned activities include campus-wide marches, placard displays, and press briefings.

The decision was reached after a JAC meeting on October 6, where the unions reviewed the government’s inaction despite the expiration of multiple ultimatums.

Key Issues

The protest is driven by several unresolved issues, including:

• Alleged unfair disbursement of the ₦50 billion earned allowances

• Delays in the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/NASU/SSANU agreements

• Non-payment of two months’ salaries

• Arrears of the 25% and 35% salary increases

• Non-remittance of third-party deductions for May and June 2022

JAC had earlier issued a seven-day ultimatum on September 15, which was extended by 14 days. That ultimatum expired on Monday, October 6, without any resolution from the government.

Unions Issue Directive

In a circular dated October 6, titled “Commencement of Protest Actions”, and signed by NASU General Secretary, Prince Peters Adeyemi, and SSANU National President, Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, members were directed to fully participate in Thursday’s protest.

The circular stated:

“Following the inauguration of the Joint Consultative Committee by the Honourable Minister of Education to address the demands of JAC of NASU and SSANU, the committee met twice — on September 19 and October 6 — with little progress made.

In light of this, the National JAC hereby directs all branches in universities and inter-university centres to convene joint congresses on Wednesday, October 8, to mobilise for a massive and effective one-day protest on Thursday, October 9.”

The unions emphasized that all members in federal and state universities are expected to participate fully, stressing the importance of unity and collective action.

Threat of Indefinite Strike

SSANU President, Mohammed Ibrahim, warned that if the government continues to ignore their demands, an indefinite strike could follow.

“This won’t just be the mother of all strikes — it will be the grandfather,” Ibrahim said. “When SSANU or NASU down tools, the system feels it. We must take our destinies into our own hands.”

He also lamented the worsening welfare conditions of non-academic staff, saying they have been “the worst hit financially, economically, and psychologically.”

The protest adds to the growing tension between university unions and the Federal Government over welfare and funding, with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) also hinting at possible industrial action in the coming weeks.