SSANU and NASU have announced a nationwide protest for Thursday, October 9, over the government’s failure to meet their demands.
The unions warned that an indefinite strike may follow if issues remain unresolved.
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The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) have announced plans to hold a nationwide protest on Thursday, October 9, over the Federal Government’s failure to meet their long-standing demands.
Acting under the Joint Action Committee (JAC), both unions have instructed all their branches across the country to hold emergency meetings on Wednesday, October 8, to mobilize members for the protest. Activities will include campus marches, media briefings, and the display of placards.
The unions reached this decision after a review of the government’s response to their demands during a JAC meeting held on October 6. According to them, several ultimatums issued to the government have expired without any tangible progress.
Some of the major issues behind the protest include the alleged unfair sharing of the N50 billion earned allowances, the delay in renegotiating the 2009 FGN/NASU/SSANU agreement, the non-payment of two months’ salaries, and arrears of 25 and 35 per cent salary increases. The unions also cited the government’s failure to remit third-party deductions for May and June 2022.
Earlier, JAC had issued a seven-day ultimatum on September 15, which was later extended by another 14 days, ending on October 6. In a circular titled “Commencement of Protest Actions” signed by NASU General Secretary, Prince Peters Adeyemi, and SSANU National President, Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, members were directed to ensure total compliance.
The memo stated that while the Minister of Education had inaugurated a Joint Consultative Committee to address the unions’ grievances, the two meetings held on September 19 and October 6 made “little progress” and failed to produce meaningful results.
“In light of this development, the National JAC hereby directs branch leadership in universities and inter-university centers nationwide to convene a joint congress on Wednesday, 8th October 2025, to mobilize for a massive and effective one-day protest on Thursday, 9th October 2025,” the statement read.
It further instructed members in both federal and state universities to participate fully, stressing that unity among members was essential to achieving their goals.
SSANU President, Mohammed Ibrahim, accused the government of neglecting the welfare of non-academic workers and warned that the unions might declare an indefinite strike if their demands remain unresolved.
“Ours will not be the mother of all strikes; it will be the grandfather of all strikes,” Ibrahim warned. “When SSANU or NASU strike, you know what it means. We must take our destinies in our hands.”
He lamented that non-academic staff in Nigerian universities have suffered the most under current economic conditions, facing severe financial and psychological hardship.
Both SSANU and NASU have consistently clashed with the government over welfare, funding, and salary-related issues, much like their counterpart, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
The unions said Thursday’s protest is a final attempt to draw government attention before they consider a full industrial action that could once again disrupt activities in public universities across the country.
