By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Correspondent
CLOSURE OF the main gates at the University of Ibadan (UI) followed a nationwide industrial action by the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) over delayed renegotiation and implementation of a 2009 agreement with the Federal Government (FG).
JKNewsMedia.com reports that the protest, described as peaceful, disrupted access to the institution as students, staff and visitors were left stranded outside the campus.
Union members gathered at the entrance, expressing dissatisfaction over what they described as prolonged delays in addressing welfare issues, salary arrears and conditions of service.
Chairman of NASU at the University of Ibadan (UI), Oluwafemi Michael Ogunlade, said the action came after years of unresolved negotiations and repeated assurances without implementation.
He stated that several ultimatum notices had been issued, warning that delays were affecting staff welfare and the effective functioning of the university system.
Ogunlade added that the unions resorted to the action after exhausting all avenues for dialogue and said members remained open to meaningful engagement with the Federal Government.
Workers, joined by SSANU members, called for urgent intervention to prevent further disruption to academic and administrative activities across public universities and urged the government to expedite action on the pending agreement.
The strike also paralysed academic and administrative activities at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, where key facilities including the Senate Building, library and sickbay were shut.
The Works and Estate Department was closed, resulting in disruption of water and electricity supply across the institution.
Chairman of SSANU at ABU, Shuaibu Ahmed Halilu, said during a peaceful protest that the action followed a directive from the national body.
At the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), activities were disrupted as non-teaching staff unions continued the nationwide indefinite strike, insisting on a 45 percent salary increase and full implementation of the 2009 agreement.
Chairman of SSANU at the University of Ilorin, Falowo Olushola, said the unions rejected the Federal Government’s earlier 30 percent salary proposal, describing it as unacceptable.
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