Society News
Nigeria's university support staff begin an indefinite strike over a withdrawn 30% pay offer
Nigeria's two main unions of non-academic university staff, the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), began a nationwide indefinite strike at midnight on Friday, May 1. Acting through their Joint Action Committee, they said the strike would halt administrative and support services in federal tertiary institutions.
Daily Trust reported that the strike letter, dated April 30 and signed by NASU General Secretary Peters Adeyemi and SSANU President Mohammed Ibrahim, was addressed to Education Minister Tunji Alausa. The unions said the government had not finished renegotiating allowances or made a new offer after withdrawing a letter containing 30 per cent allowances.
“Only the full approval of our demands would be acceptable.” — SSANU and NASU leaders, via Premium Times
Premium Times said the walkout was announced a day after the unions met a government delegation led by Alausa, where some points were agreed but not enough to call it off. The unions want renegotiation of their 2009 agreement with the government, meant to be reviewed every three years, finished, and say non-academic staff are treated less favourably than lecturers, whose union ASUU signed a new deal in December. Sahara Reporters also reported the strike's start on May 1.
How each outlet framed it
- Daily Trust — the formal letter, the withdrawn 30% offer and the expected shutdown of services.
- Premium Times — the failed last-minute meeting, the 2009 agreement and the gap with academic staff.
- Sahara Reporters — a short notice that the nationwide strike was under way.
What we don't know yet: how long the strike will last and whether the government will table a new pay offer.