The Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) have initiated an indefinite strike, leading to the closure of Federal University Lokoja, Kogi State.

This action follows a nationwide strike declared by the national unions in response to the failure of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to pay four months of outstanding salaries and implement a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on August 20, 2022. A visit to the campus revealed a deserted environment as the unions mobilized their members.

During a joint emergency congress at the Felele campus, SSANU Chairman Comrade Adedeji Kasim Suara expressed dissatisfaction with the federal government’s treatment of university staff, highlighting that while their sister union, ASUU, received partial payments, SSANU and NASU members are still awaiting their full salaries. He emphasized that the unions would not resume work until their demands are fully met, stating, “When they pay us, we will go back to work.”

NASU Chairman Comrade Abdulazeez Yusuf echoed the sentiment, criticizing the government’s lack of responsiveness to the welfare of university workers amid current economic challenges. He urged the government to prioritize the education sector, stating, “Any country that is not taking education seriously is not into any serious business.” Both unions have established a task force to ensure compliance with the strike and maintain pressure on the government for immediate action regarding their unpaid salaries.