University Staff Stage Peaceful Protest
On Tuesday, members of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (SSANU) staged a peaceful protest at the University of Ibadan. The protest caused a significant disruption, blocking the UI-Sango road for almost an hour and halting vehicular movement.
Protesters’ Demands
The protesters carried placards with various inscriptions, including “Federal Government should honour 2009 agreement made with the Union,” “Nigerian workers are hungry,” and “SSANU demands four months withheld salary.” They expressed their dissatisfaction with the Federal Government’s failure to meet their demands, particularly the release of earned allowances from 2013 to date.
Union Leaders Speak Out
Oluwafemi Michael Ogunlade, NASU Chairman, highlighted the union’s grievances. “We have both teaching and non-teaching unions in federal universities. The Federal Government paid ASUU, but not us, despite our suspended strike,” he stated. Ogunlade emphasised that their issue is with the government, not ASUU, as the government made the payments.
Plans for National Protest
Abiodun Rasaq Omisore, SSANU Chairman, echoed Ogunlade’s sentiments. “We followed due process, but the government failed to honour the agreement. If this continues, we will proceed to Abuja on July 18 for a national protest,” Omisore warned. This planned protest aims to draw further attention to their unmet demands.
Impact on the Academic Environment
The protest underscores the ongoing tension between university staff unions and the government. The disruption of vehicular movement highlights the severity of their grievances and the lengths they are willing to go to for their voices to be heard. The unions’ insistence on fair treatment remains a critical issue in Nigeria’s academic environment.
Call for Government Action
Both NASU and SSANU urge the Federal Government to address their demands promptly. The unions’ leaders have made it clear that failure to do so will result in continued protests, potentially escalating to a national level. The call for immediate action reflects the urgency of the situation and the need for a resolution.
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