The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) have announced plans to embark on a one-day nationwide protest on Thursday, October 9, 2025, over the Federal Government’s alleged failure to address their long-standing demands.
Acting under the aegis of the Joint Action Committee (JAC), both unions have directed all branches across universities and inter-university centres to convene joint emergency meetings on Wednesday to mobilise members for the protest. Planned activities include campus marches, placard displays, and press briefings.
The decision followed a comprehensive review of government actions during JAC’s meeting held on October 6, after the expiration of several ultimatums previously issued to the government.
Among the unresolved issues are the alleged unfair disbursement of the N50 billion earned allowances, the delay in renegotiating the 2009 FGN/NASU/SSANU agreements, the non-payment of two months’ outstanding salaries, arrears of 25 and 35 per cent salary increments, and the non-remittance of third-party deductions for May and June 2022.
JAC had earlier issued a seven-day ultimatum to the government on September 15, which was later extended by another 14 days, both of which expired without any concrete action.
In a circular dated October 6, titled “Commencement of Protest Actions” and jointly signed by NASU General Secretary, Prince Peters Adeyemi, and SSANU National President, Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, the unions ordered all members to fully participate in the protest.
The memo stated that despite the inauguration of a Joint Consultative Committee by the Minister of Education to address the unions’ demands, the committee’s two meetings on September 19 and October 6 yielded little progress.
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“In light of this development, the National JAC hereby directs branch leadership in universities and inter-university centres nationwide to convene a joint congress on Wednesday, 8th October 2025, to mobilise for a massive and effective one-day protest on Thursday, 9th October 2025,” the statement read in part.
SSANU President, Mohammed Ibrahim, accused the government of insincerity, warning that failure to resolve the issues could lead to an indefinite industrial action.
“Ours will not be the mother of all strikes; it will be the grandfather of all strikes,” Ibrahim declared. “We must take our destinies in our hands.”
He lamented that non-academic staff remain the most neglected group in the university system, suffering greatly in terms of welfare and economic stability.
Like their academic counterparts under ASUU, both SSANU and NASU have consistently clashed with the Federal Government over funding and welfare-related concerns.
