The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) have declared a one-day nationwide protest for Thursday, October 9, 2025, over the Federal Government’s failure to address their long-standing demands.
Through their Joint Action Committee (JAC), both unions have directed branches across universities and inter-university centres to hold joint emergency meetings on Wednesday to mobilize members for the protest. Activities will include campus marches, placard displays, and press conferences.
The decision followed a JAC meeting on October 6, during which the unions reviewed what they described as the government’s unsatisfactory response to their previous ultimatums.
Among the unresolved issues are the alleged unjust disbursement of N50 billion Earned Allowances, the delay in renegotiating the 2009 FGN/NASU/SSANU Agreements, non-payment of two months’ outstanding salaries, non-payment of 25% and 35% arrears, and the withholding of third-party deductions for May and June 2022, among others.
JAC, in a circular titled “Commencement of Protest Actions” dated October 6, and signed by Prince Peters Adeyemi, NASU General Secretary, and Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, SSANU National President, directed that:
“The last circular of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational & Associated Institutions (NASU) and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) titled ‘Current Status of Our Agitations’ referenced JAC/NS/Vol. III/55, dated 22nd September 2025, refers.
“Following the inauguration of the Joint Consultative Committee by the Honourable Minister of Education to look into the demands of JAC of NASU & SSANU, the Committee met twice on Friday, 19th September 2025, and Monday, 6th October 2025, at the Permanent Secretary’s Conference Room, Abuja, with little progress as our demands remain unresolved despite extension of the ultimatum.
“In light of this development, the National JAC at its meeting held on Monday, 6th October 2025 hereby directs Branch leadership in the Universities and Inter-University Centres throughout the country to convene a Joint Congress in their respective campuses on Wednesday, 8th October 2025, to mobilize and prepare for a massive and effective ONE-DAY Protest on Thursday, 9th October 2025.
“All members of NASU & SSANU in both Federal & State Owned Universities are expected to strictly comply with this directive. Your cooperation and strict adherence are essential to achieving success in our demands.”
Recall that JAC had issued a seven-day ultimatum to the government on September 15, later extending it by 14 days, which expired on October 6.
SSANU President Mohammed Ibrahim recently accused the Federal Government of insincerity, warning that a failure to meet their demands could lead to a total, indefinite strike.
“Ours will not be the ‘mother of all strikes,’ it will be the grandfather of all strikes, because when SSANU or NASU strikes, you know what it means. We must take our destinies in our hands,” Ibrahim said.
He lamented the poor conditions of service for non-academic university workers, saying they are “the worst hit financially, economically, and psychologically.”
Like the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), SSANU and NASU have been in a prolonged standoff with the Federal Government over issues of welfare, salaries, and earned allowances.