Academic and administrative activities at the University of Ibadan have been severely disrupted following the commencement of an indefinite nationwide strike by members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions.
The industrial action, which officially began at midnight on May 1, has grounded several essential services across the university, with unions warning that the situation could worsen if the Federal Government fails to conclude ongoing negotiations with non-teaching staff unions.
Observations across the campus revealed that several facilities, including lecture theatres, student hostels, and the University Health Service popularly known as Jaja Clinic, were either shut down or operating at minimal capacity as workers complied with the strike directive.
Members of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of SSANU and NASU also held a congress at the university’s main gate to sensitise workers and coordinate enforcement of the strike action.
Speaking during the congress, the Secretary of SSANU UI, Charles, confirmed that the action followed a directive from the national leadership of the unions.
“We received a directive from our national leadership to commence a total and comprehensive strike from May 1. Today is effectively the first working day after the holiday, which is why we are holding this congress,” he said.
He stressed that unlike previous industrial actions where some essential services were allowed to continue, the current strike is total and comprehensive.
“Unlike previous strikes where essential services continued, this time nobody is exempted. Everybody is expected to withdraw their services,” he added.
According to him, the strike became necessary due to the Federal Government’s failure to conclude the renegotiation and implementation of the 2009 agreement involving non-teaching staff unions.
“The issue leading to this strike is that negotiations between the Federal Government and the university-based unions are still ongoing. While the government has concluded negotiations with ASUU since January, the negotiations with NASU, SSANU and NAAT have not been concluded,” he explained.
The union leader also referenced a controversial memo that circulated online announcing a 30 percent salary increment for non-teaching staff, which was later withdrawn.
“About two weeks ago, we saw a memo on social media from the Minister of Education stating that the President had approved a 30% salary increment for non-teaching staff. However, that circular was later withdrawn, and we saw it as an indication that negotiations were still ongoing and not yet finalized,” he said.
“We were not convinced by the government’s assurances, and that is why the strike is ongoing. It will only be called off when our demands are met.”
The unions warned that the withdrawal of services would significantly affect critical operations within the university, including electricity supply, water distribution, facility maintenance, result processing, and administrative services.
Speaking further on the likely impact of the strike, Chairman of NASU UI, Ogulade Oluwafemi Michael, said union members had often exercised restraint in the past because of concern for students whose academic programmes are frequently extended by industrial actions.
“Before now, let me say we are like parents. When I say parents, I mean we have feelings for the students. Many of us have children in one institution or another. A student plans to spend four years in the university, but because of industrial actions, it stretches to five to seven years,” he said.
He explained that previous strikes were often suspended quickly because workers considered the effect on students, but insisted that the current situation has become unbearable.
“Because of that, we used to be considerate. Most times when we say we want to go on strike, students believe we won’t follow through, and we return quickly because we feel for them. But this time, with the situation, it is going to have a serious effect,” he stated.
Ogulade warned that campus life and academic operations would be severely affected as the strike progresses.
“After today, we will not allow lecture rooms to be open. Once lecturers stop lecturing, that is the end of academic activities. But beyond that, if this strike continues, you will feel it deeply,” he said.
“We are the ones who provide water. We maintain the lecture rooms. We process results. We ensure electricity supply. We make the university environment conducive for everyone.”
“The moment we withdraw our services, everything becomes difficult. No light, no water, everything shuts down,” he added.
The NASU chairman further explained that even when academic staff continue lectures or examinations, the broader university system still depends heavily on non-academic workers for documentation, processing, and institutional administration.
“A lecturer may decide to teach you under sunlight, that is possible. They can even conduct exams and mark scripts. But after that, it comes back to us. We handle the processing, the documentation, everything that follows. So when we are on strike, the university system suffers,” he stated.
He also warned that the unions could intensify enforcement measures if the strike continues without government intervention.
“As we begin now, the environment will be affected seriously. We are already addressing our members on how to go about it. If we decide to shut the gates or block access, nobody insiders or outsiders will be able to enter,” he warned.
The nationwide strike followed the expiration of an ultimatum issued to the Federal Government by non-teaching staff unions demanding the conclusion of pending negotiations and implementation of agreements.
The industrial action affects federal and state universities as well as inter-university centres across the country, raising fresh concerns over another possible disruption to Nigeria’s higher education system.
