The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) says it will embark on an indefinite strike as the April 30 deadline for concluding its renegotiation with the federal government approaches.

SSANU national president, Muhammad Ibrahim, said this in a communiqué issued at the end of a special National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Abuja on Sunday.

The association had issued the federal government a 30-day ultimatum on March 30 to resolve welfare and agreement issues that had been reached with university-based unions.

Mr Ibrahim, who is also the chairman of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of SSANU and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), said the renegotiation process was ongoing and had not been concluded.

He expressed concern over delays in concluding talks and signing agreements with the federal government.

He reaffirmed NEC’s position on the final ultimatum earlier issued to the federal government from April 1 to April 30 to conclude negotiations and sign the agreements.

“Should the federal government fail to conclude the renegotiation process and sign the agreements within the stated period, SSANU will have no alternative but, in conjunction with NASU, to commence an indefinite, comprehensive and total industrial action,” he said.

Mr Ibrahim urged members across branches to remain calm, vigilant and united, and to comply fully with union directives in defence of their welfare, dignity and collective interests.

He said NEC expressed concern over public claims suggesting that negotiations had been concluded, particularly a letter alleging approval of a 30 per cent allowance increase while discussions were ongoing.

He said that SSANU would not accept any outcome below the negotiated understanding reached during talks, insisting on fairness, due process and respect for collective bargaining principles. 

(NAN)