According to Punch, the University of Ilorin chapter of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) will hold a joint congress on Tuesday to review the ongoing strike action declared by the unions.

Segun Alabi, the Public Relations Officer of the SSANU chapter at Unilorin, disclosed this on Monday to a Punch correspondent in Ilorin, Kwara State.

Alabi said, “We will hold a Congress at the gate of the University of Ilorin at 8 am tomorrow (Tuesday) where we will take a decision on the strike. Your strict compliance and adherence to this directive is mandatory for all NASU and SSANU branches in Federal and State Owned Universities as well as Inter-University Centres.

“The last circular of the Joint Action Committee of Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities titled, “Latest Development in Respect of the Withheld Four Months' Salaries” referenced JAC/NS/VOL.III/32 dated 21st October 2024 refers.

“The circular under reference gave seven days to the Federal Government to do the needful in respect of our demands for payment of outstanding four months' salaries and implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) sighed with the Federal Government on 20th August, 2022 which expires midnight of Sunday, 27th October, 2024.”

He added, “It is quite appalling that we have issued several ultimatums thereafter with no positive result from the government, it is therefore obvious that the Government is not positively disposed to our rightful and legitimate demands in spite of several interactions, dialogues, exchange of correspondences and assurances of payment all to no avail.

“We have exercised considerable and prolonged patience, allowing multiple deadlines to pass without receiving a satisfactory response to our demands by the Government.

“This is to direct all our members in the Universities and Inter-University Centres throughout the country to hold a joint congress in their respective campuses on Monday, 28th October, 2024 and proceed on an indefinite, comprehensive and total strike action as no concession should be given in any guise.

“Our members are in charge of water supply, electricity, communication, internet supply, security, and finance, if they pay this money tomorrow (today), we will call off the strike.”

On Sunday, the Joint Action Committee of the SSANU and NASU vowed to indefinitely shut down all activities in universities across the country from Monday (today) when they embark on an indefinite strike.

The union said the ultimatum it gave the Federal Government over its withheld salaries expired Sunday midnight.

The unions are demanding among others, the payment of the four-month withheld salaries, improved remuneration, earned allowances and implementation of the 2009 agreements with the government.