Activities at the University of Ilorin have been paralysed following the commencement of an indefinite strike by members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU).
The industrial action followed the expiration of an April 30 ultimatum issued to the Federal Government over the failure to conclude and implement the 2009 agreement with university staff, as well as unresolved issues bordering on outstanding salary arrears.
On Monday, the unions staged a peaceful protest at the university’s main gate, led by SSANU Chairman Prof. Falowo Olushola alongside other union leaders and members, who insisted that their demands must be met before normal activities resume.
Protesters carried placards with inscriptions such as “We demand fair treatment and living wages,” “Pay withheld salaries now,” and “45% increment is our demand, not 30%,” while enforcing compliance with the strike.
Speaking during the protest, Olushola said the action was triggered by government inaction on long-standing agreements and salary issues.
“Basically, our demand is the conclusion, signing and implementation of the 2009 agreement. We reject the 30% that was proposed to us outrightly. Our demand is 45%, and that is final,” he said, adding that the strike would continue until concrete agreements are reached.
Also speaking, NASU Chairman Suberu Ibrahim said the unions resorted to the action to express their displeasure over the government’s handling of their demands.
“We have gathered here this morning to show our displeasure to the government. You will recall that in 2022, when we were to go on a protracted strike, the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement was part of our demands. This renegotiation has been ongoing since 2017, yet the government has not concluded the non-teaching staff component,” he said.
The unions also cited outstanding arrears, including one year and two months of unpaid salaries dating back to 2022.
Union leaders warned that the indefinite strike would severely disrupt academic and administrative activities across the institution, stressing that only full compliance with their demands would restore normalcy.
They emphasized that the action was not a warning strike but a total withdrawal of services across the university system.