Workers in Nigerian universities
under the auspices of the Senior Staff
Association of Nigerian Universities
has threatened to embark on a
nationwide strike over what they
described an ‘obnoxious circular’ by
the National Universities
Commission.
The union therefore gave the Federal
Government till Wednesday April 28,
2015, apparently one month within
which it should address the issues
or face industrial action in all the
federal and state universities across
the country.
The union said the circular was a
mischief to obliterate the sanctity of
its agreement with the Federal
Government.
The position of SSANU is contained
in a communiqué dispatched to
journalists on Sunday in Abuja, after
its National Executive Council
meeting, held at Obudu Mountain
Resort in Cross River State.
In the communiqué signed by its
President, Samson Ugwoke, and
Public Relations Officer, Mr. N.A.D.
Aboribo, SSANU accused the NUC of
unilaterally expunging through a
circular the aspect of the agreement
on university demonstration staff
schools.
Besides, the union regretted the
failure of the government to pay the
outstanding arrears of the earned
allowances and most especially the
political statements being made by
government functionaries about the
payment, which has put serious
pressure on the leadership of the
union at the national and branch
level.
SSANU also condemned the
lackadaisical attitude of the Federal
Government in implementing the
2009 agreement, despite its
persistent call on the government
and the Implementation Monitoring
Committee for the full implementation
and payment of the arrears of the
earned allowance.
The communiqué read, “SSANU
called for the full implementation and
renegotiation of the 2009 agreement
to forestall the disruption of the
present smooth academic activities
in the university system. We view
with very grave concern, the actions
of some government agencies in
collaboration with certain selfish
vice-chancellors to obliterate the
sanctity of the 2009 FGN/university-
based unions’ agreement by
unilaterally expunging through a
circular from the NUC the aspect of
the agreement on university
demonstration staff schools.
“SSANU-NEC-in-session hereby
demands the immediate withdrawal of
the obnoxious circular. For the
avoidance of doubt, if by April 28,
2015, the circular has not been
withdrawn by the NUC, the union will
take labour action against the Federal
Government. We frown on the
overbearing attitude and unnecessary
roles of the NIC in this regard.”
SSANU also warned the NUC to stop
its undue meddling and interference
in the affairs of the universities, so
as not to overheat the Nigerian
university system.
While demanding that the agreement
should be implemented without
further delay, the union criticized the
continuous refusal of the Federal
Government to renegotiate the said
agreement “which is long overdue.”
The NEC-in-session warns Federal
Government on the dangers of its
insensitive stand on the matter,
saying it was capable of completely
eroding the relative peace in our
universities.
“SSANU therefore urged the Federal
Government to put machinery in
place for the renegotiation of this
agreement without any further delay.”
The union also warned against the
victimization of its members and
officers in various universities, and
especially called for the
reinstatement of 19 members of the
union who were sacked at the
Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-
Akoko.
The union commended the Nigerian
Armed Forces and its foreign allies
for the recapture of most areas
occupied by the Boko Haram
terrorists in the north-eastern part of
the country. SSANU called on the
Federal Government to continue to
adequately equip them and review
Nigeria foreign policies with its
neighbouring countries.
Speaking on the 2015 general
election, the union condemned the
hate speeches and unnecessary
political killings currently being
experienced in the build up to the
2015 general elections. The union
urged politicians to place before
Nigerians issue-based campaigns
play the game by the rules and avoid
violence.
SSANU also called on the
Independent National Electoral
Commission to ensure that the
elections were free, fair and credible.

It's about time..