FG Paid Only 25% Withheld Salaries to Non-Academic Staff, says SSANU

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has expressed discontent following the federal government’s payment of only 25 percent of the withheld salaries owed to its striking members. Joseph Kalizibe, chairman of SSANU at the Federal University, Otuoke, revealed in a telephone interview with reputable sources, that the members were taken aback by the limited payment, which covered just one month of the four months of salaries that were withheld.

Kalizibe stated that while President Bola Tinubu had directed the payment of 50 percent of the withheld salaries, which translates to two months, the government has only disbursed funds for one month. “They were supposed to pay 100 percent of the four months withheld salaries, but what we have gotten so far is one month, which is 25 percent,” he lamented.

Members of the union are currently awaiting further directives from their leaders to determine the future of the ongoing strike. “For now, I can’t speak on whether the strike will continue. We are waiting for directives from the Joint Action Committee (JAC) because it’s not just about our union alone,” Kalizibe added.

In a previous statement, SSANU national president Mohammed Ibrahim had assured that the strike could be called off if the federal government honored President Tinubu’s directive for the payment of 50 percent. He stated, “If payment is made, we don’t have to meet. We will call off the strike.” He highlighted the tough economic conditions facing members, emphasizing the high costs of commuting and living expenses.

With the payment of just one month of the four months owed, uncertainty looms over whether the striking university workers will continue their industrial action. The JAC, representing both SSANU and the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), had declared an indefinite strike that began on October 28, aimed at pressing their demands for the full payment of their withheld salaries.

The situation remains tense as university staff await a resolution to their grievances.