SSANU threatens nationwide strike over funding of universities' staff schools

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities on Sunday in Lagos urged the Federal Government to rescind its decision to stop funding universities’ staff schools.

Alfred Jimoh, SSANU’s National Vice-President, Western Zone, told the News Agency of Nigeria that the association might go ahead with its planned strike should the Federal Government privatise the schools.

Mr. Jimoh said the association, which had in June carried out a peaceful protest over the issue, had received a circular to the proposed privatisation.

He said the circular from the Federal Ministry of Education had directed the vice-chancellors of federal universities to stop accommodating teachers of staff schools in their emolument structure.

“SSANU, on receiving the circular, expressed dissatisfaction with the development by threatening to withdraw their services should government go ahead with its plan to stop funding staff schools,” he said.

He warned that the strike, which would be unprecedented, would not only affect students and the education sector, but would also question the current administration’s promise of creating employment for Nigerians.

“In spite of appeals from concerned stakeholders, the government seemed resolute on going ahead with the planned privatisation.

“Ever since we called on government to review its stand on the issue, nothing seems to have been done on that because we have not received any feedback.

“Government seems to be going about it in an underground manner.

“But we are just watching because we shall resist any attempt by the government to carry out its plan if it goes ahead with it.

“On our part, the National Executive Committee of SSANU will meet over the issue from Aug. 27 to Aug. 28 at the University of Jos for the next line of action,” Mr. Jimoh disclosed.

The unionist urged the government to reconsider its stand on the issue in order not to allow the peace being enjoyed in the universities currently to be truncated.