University Staff Unions Criticize FG Over Partial Salary Release Amid Ongoing Strike

The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities and Allied Institutions (NASU) expressed dissatisfaction on Saturday, stating that the Federal Government has only released one month out of the four months of withheld salaries.

This partial release follows the indefinite strike launched by the unions last Monday, which has led to a shutdown across Nigerian universities.

The Office of the Accountant General of the Federation confirmed the partial salary disbursement, yet union officials, including SSANU National President, Mohammed Ibrahim, stated that this release is insufficient to meet their demands.

Ibrahim noted that high-ranking university officials, such as Vice-Chancellors, bursars, and registrars, have also gone unpaid, further complicating operations within the universities.

“Yes, they paid one month out of four months. We shall be meeting to appraise the situation, but not everyone has received their pay so far,” Ibrahim told Sunday Punch, adding that the strike would continue until all demands are met.

The strike has seen overwhelming compliance, with 98 percent of union members participating, according to Ibrahim.

JAC leadership plans to convene soon to determine further steps, reaffirming their stance to remain on strike until the government fully addresses the salary backlog.