In a decisive move, the University of Jos has shuttered its gates, leaving students and workers stranded, as a week-long warning strike commences.
A palpable air of frustration pervaded the campus as security personnel barred entry, turning away a throng of students and lecturers. The cause? The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) have jointly called for the strike to protest unpaid salaries.
Danjuma, a student caught in the midst of the chaos, expressed his exasperation, stating, “I came to school this morning rushing to avoid being late for my test, just for me to meet the campus gate locked. This is frustrating.”
At the forefront of the Naraguta campus, University of Jos Vice Chancellor Tanko Ishaya voiced his disapproval of the unions’ action, asserting, “You do not have any right to lock a government property.” He directed security personnel to reopen the gates to facilitate academic activities.
UNIJOS, already grappling with a year-long backlog due to previous strikes and unrest, now faces further disruption as the second semester of the delayed 2022/2023 academic session encounters fresh challenges. The vice chancellor vowed to uphold the academic calendar amidst the turmoil.
Echoing Danjuma’s sentiments, Samuel Abioye, a mass communication student, lamented the prolonged academic delays, stating, “I can’t afford to add more years; I hope the issue gets resolved soon.”
Background on the SSANU/NASU Strike:
The Nigerian university system experienced upheaval in 2022 with a nationwide strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), followed by SSANU and NASU’s industrial action just two months later. This paralyzed university operations as they protested the government’s broken promises and chronic underfunding.
In response, the Buhari administration implemented a “No Work, No Pay” policy, withholding salaries. SSANU condemned this policy, asserting they followed proper procedures before their four-month strike. Despite this, former President Buhari never released the withheld salaries.
Current Situation:
President Bola Tinubu’s administration recently released salaries to ASUU members but excluded SSANU and NASU. In response, the unions demanded equal treatment and threatened a nationwide strike. Speaking at the Naraguta Campus gate, the UNIJOS NASU chairman hinted at a potential indefinite strike if their demands weren’t met.
Meanwhile, the federal government’s silence on the issue has exacerbated tensions, with universities like Obafemi Awolowo University also closing their gates.
As uncertainty looms, stakeholders await further developments, hoping for a swift resolution to the impasse.
