UI NASU and SSANU Protest Unresolved Welfare Issues, Threaten Strike Action
The Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) at the University of Ibadan (UI) have staged a peaceful protest to decry prolonged unresolved welfare concerns, accusing the university management of neglect, poor communication, and failure to honour agreements. This action highlights growing tensions over staff entitlements and administrative processes at the institution.
NASU's Grievances Over Entitlements and Promotion Irregularities
NASU Chairman, Femi Ogunlade, stated during the protest that union members have been deprived of their entitlements for the past three years, with repeated efforts to engage management yielding no results. The union reported that several letters written to the management over time were not acknowledged, describing this as a sustained disregard for staff welfare. Additionally, NASU raised issues surrounding the scheme of service, which guides staff welfare and promotion processes, insisting that union representatives must be involved in any review process. However, the union alleged that management proceeded with the review without proper consultation, contrary to established guidelines.
NASU further complained about irregular promotion exercises in some departments, noting that while some units had undergone promotion processes, others had been left out for extended periods. The union called for fairness, transparency, and strict adherence to agreed procedures in staff welfare and promotion matters to ensure equitable treatment for all employees.
SSANU's Concerns Over Communication Breakdown and Industrial Action Threat
Similarly, SSANU expressed concern over what it described as a breakdown in communication with management since 2023, stating that repeated attempts at dialogue have not produced meaningful engagement. The association said it had written several letters outlining its grievances but had not received satisfactory responses or formal invitations for negotiation. SSANU Vice Chairman, Olutola Olubiyi, stated that the union had issued notice of possible industrial action if its concerns are not addressed within a reasonable timeframe.
Olubiyi stressed that the union's actions were aimed at ensuring fairness and proper administrative processes rather than disrupting academic activities. SSANU maintained that effective institutional management requires collaboration and mutual respect between staff unions and management, adding that it remains open to constructive dialogue if properly engaged by the university authorities.
Management's Response and Ongoing Tensions
In response, the university's Registrar, Ganiyu Oke Saliu, commented, "The management is on top of the situation. I think the unions were not properly advised." This statement has done little to alleviate the unions' concerns, as they continue to push for immediate action on their demands. The protest underscores broader issues in Nigerian universities regarding staff welfare and labor relations, with potential implications for academic stability if the disputes escalate into a full-scale strike.
The situation at UI reflects ongoing challenges in higher education administration, where unresolved welfare issues can lead to industrial unrest. Both NASU and SSANU have emphasized their commitment to dialogue but warn that failure to address their grievances could result in disruptive actions, impacting university operations and student activities in the near future.
