By Hajara Abdullahi
The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has called on the Federal Government to include non-academic staff unions in the ongoing negotiations with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
This was contained in a statement jointly signed on Wednesday by JAC Chairman, Mohammed Ibrahim; NASU Secretary-General, Prince Peter Adeyemi; and SSANU President. The unions congratulated members of ASUU on the signing of a new agreement with the Federal Government.
JAC described the signing of the new agreement as a “major breakthrough” in Nigeria’s tertiary education history, noting that it would enhance the working conditions of ASUU members.
The statement recalled that both academic and non-academic staff of tertiary institutions have been at odds with the government over issues bordering on salary structures, earned allowances, welfare, workplace safety, and funding for university infrastructure.
The unions warned that further delay in concluding their own renegotiation could threaten industrial harmony within the nation’s university system.
“The timely conclusion of the ongoing renegotiation with NASU and SSANU would avert a breakdown of industrial peace and harmony in the system,” the statement read.
They further cautioned that failure to implement the agreement could disrupt the current peaceful academic atmosphere in federal universities.
The unions reiterated that sustained industrial harmony is vital to the stability and progress of the university system, emphasizing the need to ensure a conducive and sustainable academic environment.