The House of Representatives is scheduled to halt the planned strike by the Non-Academic Staff of Universities in order to interfere in the disagreement between the federal government and university staff.
Abubakar Fulata, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on University Education, made the decision during a meeting with officials from the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities and NASU in Abuja on Thursday.
Other attendees at the meeting include the National Association of Academic Technologists and other relevant stakeholders.
SSANU President Mohammed Ibrahim, who also spoke on behalf of NASU, stated that the unions recently went on a one-week warning strike due to the non-payment of their withheld salaries in 2022.
Mr Ibrahim stated that despite President Bola Tinubu’s waiver and directive that four months of their delayed wage for the 2022 industrial action be paid, it had not been followed. He also stated that the Ministry of Education and the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation had not cooperated.
He stated that if the government does not meet their demands, the unions want to embark on an indefinite strike.
Mr Ibrahim claimed that their counterpart, the Academic Staff Union of Universities, had received the four-month withheld salaries and questioned why the government would not pay theirs.
In the same vein, Ibeji Nwokema, President of the National Association of Academic Technologists, stated that the Federal Government did not fully comply with the 2009 and 2017 agreements struck with the unions.
He stated that shortly after the end of the seven-day warning strike that began on March 20, NAAT officials convened and determined to launch an indefinite strike in April.
Mr Fulata, on the other hand, urged the unions to give the committee and the House of Representatives enough time to engage with the appropriate authorities about the issues.
Mr Fulata stated that the House will resume on April 16 and would take drastic action on the issue, necessitating the suspension of strike notices.
On Tuesday, SSANU and NASU completed their seven-day warning strike.
In a circular to the branch chairmen of public universities across the country, Mr Ibrahim directed members of the union and those of NASU to resume work.
The two unions began a seven-day warning strike last over withheld salaries.
Members of the unions in registry, bursary, works and maintenance, security, and students’ affairs withdrew their services throughout the period of the warning strike.
Hostels and university gates were locked up and electricity supply cut off while the strike lasted.