The Nigeria French Language Village, Badagry, Lagos State chapter of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), on Tuesday staged a protest against non-payment of withheld salaries by the Federal Government.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the protesters carried placards with different inscriptions such as, “Pay us our arrears of 25 to 35 per cent salary increment now”; “Pay us our withheld salaries as approved by our President”.
Others are: “Pay us all salaries arrears now”; “We are not slaves, we are not second class citizens”;
“Pay us our sweat, it is earned”; “Protesting for our rights”.
Addressing the protesters and newsmen, Mr Hammed Oladapo, SSANU Chairman, called on the government to act swiftly and meet the union’s demands.
According to him, the peaceful protest by SSANU members marked the beginning of a series of actions planned to pressure the government into addressing their concerns.
He said that the government had refused to fulfill the agreement with the union on the payment of their withied salaries and other allowances.
Oladapo said, “SSANU members have not received four months withied salaries and promotion arrears from 2019 to date.
“Also, outstanding arrears of the 25/ 35 per cent salary increment with effect from January to December 2023 have not been paid.
Oladapo urged the government to renegotiate the 2009 FGN/SSANU agreement.
He said the union demanded for the reconstitution of the governing council of the inter-university centres.
He also called for the release and payment of their earned allowance of N50 billion as passed with 2023 budget.
He also emphasised the need for
better funding for universities and inter-university centres.
According to him, the union has been agitating for these for a long time.
“Our demands are very clear.”
Oladapo said that the union would stage another protest in Abuja on July 18, if the demands were not met.
NAN reports that the union members returned to their duty post shortly after the peaceful protest.
