OAU SSANU, NASU Join Nationwide Strike Over 2009 Agreement Implementation

By Dorcas Elusogbon

Academic activities at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, face disruption as the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) have joined the ongoing nationwide strike over the Federal Government’s failure to implement the 2009 agreement.

Members of the two unions on Monday staged a peaceful protest at Freedom Park in Ile-Ife, carrying placards with inscriptions demanding immediate action from the authorities.

Speaking during the protest, the SSANU Chairman at OAU, Mr Ademola Junaid, said the industrial action was triggered by the government’s delay in concluding and implementing the long-standing agreement reached with university workers.

He, however, acknowledged recent intervention measures by President Bola Tinubu, particularly the provision of loans aimed at improving workers’ welfare, describing the effort as commendable.

Despite this, Junaid expressed concern over what he described as continued neglect of SSANU and NASU members, noting that their demands had not received adequate attention.

“We are still suffering. The Federal Government has not been sincere about addressing our concerns,” he said, urging authorities to urgently engage the unions and resolve the impasse.

Also speaking, NASU Chairman at the institution, Mr Dayo Oyediwura, accused the Federal Government of selective treatment within the university system, alleging that the demands of one union had been prioritised over others.

He called for fairness and equity in addressing the grievances of all university unions to ensure lasting industrial harmony.

The development adds to growing tensions in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector, where unresolved labour issues continue to threaten stability and disrupt academic activities across institutions.

Observers say the strike, if prolonged, could further strain the academic calendar and deepen concerns over the state of higher education in the country.