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, the 9th of October, 2025, to press the Federal Government to address their unmet demands.
The two unions, under the Joint Action Committee (JAC), have instructed all branches to hold an emergency meeting on Wednesday, the 8th of October, in order to mobilize members for the protest.
Planned actions include protest marches across campuses, display of placards, and press conferences to air their grievances.
The decision to embark on the protest was taken at the JAC meeting held on October 6 after a review of the government’s response to several ultimatums earlier issued.
Among the unresolved issues are the alleged unfair disbursement of the N50 billion Earned Allowances, delay in renegotiating the 2009 FGN/NASU/SSANU Agreements, non-payment of two months’ outstanding salaries, arrears of 25 and 35 percent salary increments, and non-remittance of third-party deductions for May and June 2022.
JAC had previously issued a seven-day ultimatum on the 15th of September, which was later extended by another fourteen days. The extension ended on Monday, the 6th of October, without progress.
In a memo to all NASU and SSANU chairmen in universities and inter-university centres titled “Commencement of protest actions,” JAC emphasized that full participation of members is crucial to the success of the protest.
The circular, dated October 6, was jointly signed by NASU General Secretary, Prince Peters Adeyemi, and SSANU National President, Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim.
It stated, “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.”
The document explained that after the initial seven-day ultimatum expired, the government was given another 14 days to act. It noted that the Joint Consultative Committee inaugurated by the Minister of Education met twice, on September 19 and October 6, but made little progress, as the unions’ key demands remain unaddressed.
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Following this, the National JAC directed all university branches and inter-university centres to hold joint congresses on Wednesday, October 8, to mobilize for a massive one-day protest on Thursday, October 9, 2025.
The circular further read, “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.”
SSANU President, Mohammed Ibrahim, recently accused the Federal Government of lacking sincerity in dealing with the unions’ issues. He warned that if the situation persists, the unions may proceed with an indefinite and total 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 working conditions of university non-academic staff, saying they are the most affected financially and emotionally. Like the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), both SSANU and NASU have been in a prolonged dispute with the government over welfare and unpaid entitlements.