Academic and administrative activities were disrupted yesterday across several Nigerian universities as members of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) began a nationwide protest over unresolved agreements with the Federal Government.
At the University of Ibadan (UI), the main gates were shut early in the day, leaving students, staff, and visitors stranded outside the campus. The workers, who gathered peacefully at the entrance, insisted they were forced into action after years of delayed implementation of the 2009 agreement covering welfare, salary arrears, and conditions of service.
Union leaders at UI said repeated negotiations and government assurances had not translated into meaningful action. The branch chairman of NASU, Oluwafemi-Michael Ogunlade, explained that the protest followed several warnings and ultimatum notices that were ignored over time.
He said the unions were still open to dialogue but could no longer continue waiting indefinitely while members’ welfare issues remained unresolved.
The protest also spread to Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, where key facilities including the Senate Building, library, and sickbay were shut down. The Works and Estate Department was also affected, leading to disruptions in water and electricity supply across parts of the institution.
SSANU chairman at ABU, Shuaibu-Ahmed Halilu, said the action followed directives from the national leadership and was carried out peacefully in line with the union’s decision.
At the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), activities were equally affected as non-teaching staff continued their indefinite strike. The unions are demanding a 45 per cent salary increase and full implementation of the long-standing 2009 agreement.
UNILORIN SSANU chairman, Falowo Olushola, said members had rejected the Federal Government’s earlier offer of a 30 per cent increase, describing it as inadequate.
Across the affected institutions, the unions are calling on the Federal Government to urgently resolve the outstanding issues to prevent further disruption to the university system nationwide.
