Makolo Hassan, National President of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), has emphasized that strike action remains the most comprehensible method of conveying grievances to the government led by Bola Tinubu.
Speaking on Channels TV’s Politics Today, Hassan acknowledged the unions’ readiness to proceed with a planned protest scheduled for Tuesday, despite recognizing its potential adverse effects on the university system.
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He underscored that the government’s prompt resolution of the four months’ withheld salaries could prompt a reconsideration of their protest plans. Hassan outlined the critical demands of the unions, including the immediate release of withheld salaries, addressing the N50 billion renegotiation agreement, and resolving inconsistencies within the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPS).
“Our members are experiencing hardship. They live in poverty. Our primary concern is the release of the four months’ withheld salaries. Once our members start receiving alerts for these salaries, we will reassess our stance because other issues hinge on renegotiating the N50 billion agreement and resolving IPPS discrepancies,” Hassan clarified.
He added, “If the withheld salaries are paid promptly, it could change the dynamics significantly.”
Hassan emphasized that while the unions aimed to avoid disrupting essential services, including electricity and water supply, it appeared that strike action resonated most effectively with the current administration.
The planned protest aims to highlight these pressing issues to the government, ensuring that the welfare and rights of university staff are prioritized and addressed promptly.
