The Traffic

"Varsity Shutdown Continues: Talks Between FG and Striking Workers Collapse"

By Achimi Muktari

Hopes for an end to the crippling university strike were dashed on Thursday as the highly anticipated meeting between the Federal Government and the Joint Action Committee of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) ended in yet another deadlock.

The meeting, led by former Minister of State for Education, Dr. Yusuf Sununu, was held at the Federal Ministry of Education in Abuja with the aim of resolving the ongoing indefinite strike over withheld salaries. Also in attendance was the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Nasir Gwarzo. Despite hours of discussion, no concrete resolution was reached, leaving universities across the country in a state of paralysis.

The striking unions, which have been on the frontline of the shutdown since Monday, are protesting the non-payment of four months' worth of salaries. University executives, including vice-chancellors, bursars, and registrars, have also gone unpaid, further deepening the crisis.

“The government simply gave us another assurance that the money will be paid, but we've heard this before," said an anonymous source present at the meeting. "We can't just rely on empty promises anymore."

The Vice-President of SSANU, Abdussobur Salaam, expressed the frustration of the unions after the failed talks. "We made it clear to the government that if they don’t pay us, we won’t return to work. The promises of payment mean nothing without action," Salaam stated.

The deadlock marks a continuation of the stand-off, which has left universities nationwide in a state of closure, with no indication of when normal academic activities will resume. SSANU’s National President, Mohammed Ibrahim, had earlier stated that the unions are adamant about keeping institutions closed until the Federal Government releases the overdue payments.

In his address to journalists, Sununu attempted to strike a conciliatory tone, insisting that the government is committed to finding a solution. He emphasized that talks had reached an "advanced stage," though union leaders remain unconvinced.

“We reviewed the reasons for the strike and the ministry’s efforts to address the issues. We’ve made some progress, and we’ll continue to collaborate to end this crisis as soon as possible," Sununu assured.

However, the unions are demanding more than just empty promises. They are calling for immediate payment of the withheld salaries, improved remuneration, and the full implementation of a 2009 agreement with the government.

The clock is ticking as a seven-day ultimatum given by the unions expires on Sunday, October 27, 2024. If the government fails to meet their demands by midnight, the strike is expected to escalate, plunging the educational sector deeper into uncertainty.

For now, students across the country remain in limbo, as the Federal Government and striking workers are locked in a standoff with no resolution in sight.