CurrentReport Blog In a resolute display of unity and frustration, the leadership of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (SSANU) at the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) organized a peaceful protest at the main entrance of the institution on Tuesday. The demonstration aimed to pressure the Federal Government into releasing four months’ worth of withheld salaries to the non-teaching staff.
The protestors carried placards bearing messages such as “NASU/SSANU says no to injustice in the payment of withheld salaries,” “We are not beggars, FG pay our salaries,” and “NASU/SSANU members are not second-class citizens,” clearly expressing their grievances and demands.
NASU and SSANU Leadership Voice Their Frustrations
Addressing the press, Comrade Ayeni Abraham, the acting chairman of NASU at FUOYE, criticized the Federal Government for its insensitivity towards the workers’ plight. He highlighted the ongoing struggle, stating:
“We are protesting because of our four months of withheld salaries by the federal government. It is so unfortunate that we are still operating at this level. This money we are agitating for is long overdue.”
Comrade Ayeni recounted the history of their struggle, dating back to the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari in 2022. Despite numerous meetings and negotiations with the government, the issue remained unresolved, leading to continued hardship for the staff.
“The FG played insensitivity to the plight of workers. They refused bluntly to pay our money. When the administration of President Bola Tinubu came, we proceeded with the agitation for our money. It was promise upon promise and MoU upon MoU without any result.”
The protest, directed by their national headquarters, was a strategic move to demand the payment of their salary arrears. Ayeni emphasized the injustice of the situation, noting that their counterparts in the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) had received their arrears while non-teaching staff were left uncompensated.
Looming Nationwide Protests and Potential Strike
Ayeni further revealed that the national leadership of NASU and SSANU would hold a protest in Abuja on Thursday, followed by a crucial meeting to decide the next steps. He warned of a potential total shutdown if their demands were not met:
“If the FG is ready to pay our money, all these actions will be suspended, but if the FG fails, probably it may be a total shutdown, we are going to embark on a total shutdown which has no date.”
Faleye Benjamin, the chairman of SSANU at FUOYE, also spoke out, highlighting the broader economic challenges faced by union members beyond the withheld salaries. He urged the Federal Government to act swiftly:
“We are expecting FG to do the needful within a short period of time. We are only using this strategy of protest in order not to embark on strike. We believe strike should be the last option because we still believe very much in this country and that is why we are still agitating.”
