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Strike: ASUU Throws Weight Behind SSANU, NASU
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has thrown its weight behind the Senior Staff Union of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), whose members are currently on nationwide indefinite strike.
SSANU and NASU, under the aegis of Joint Action Committee (JAC), had declared indefinite strike on Friday, May 1, 2026, protesting the Federal government’s delay in signing a new agreement with them.
The two unions, after repeated ultimata given to the Federal Government to finalise their long-standing 2009 Agreement renegotiation and come up with a new agreement and its immediate implementation, accused the Federal Government of using delay tactics to, among others, punish members for rejecting the once controversial IPPIS payment platform.
Speaking at a monthly impact dialogue organised by the Education Writers’ Association of Nigeria (EWAN) held virtually, ASUU President, Prof Christopher Piwuna, said the body language of the Federal Government delaying the signing of the new agreement with other unions in the university system called for serious concern.
He spoke on the theme “Delayed Salaries, FG Workers’ Agreement: Averting Impending Crisis in Nigerian Universities.”
The dialogue also featured the National President of SSANU, Muhammed Ibrahim, and his vice in charge of the South Zone, Dr. Abdulsobur Abdulsalam.
The Accountant General of the Federation, Dr Shamseeden Ogunjimi, as well as the Director of Tertiary Education in the Federal Ministry of Education, Joel Samuel Ojo, who were equally billed as panelists, were unable to attend.
Speaking further, Piwuna said the Federal Government should realise that industrial harmony in the university system does not mean one union is working, rather working together of all unions is required to move the entire system forward.
He noted that even though the Federal Government had already signed an agreement with ASUU and that its implementation has “remained at best rudimentary and haphazard,” leaving SSANU, NASU, and NAAT in the cold is unacceptable.
He explained why ASUU is taking that stand, saying salaries of lecturers and other workers in the system are being prepared by SSANU and NASU members and not the ASUU members.
“So, it is very unkind and unfair for the government to keep SSANU, NASU, and NAAT in the cold for four months after signing our own agreement.
“It will be very demoralizing for me, for example, to continue to prepare salaries for my colleagues in the university when I don’t even know whether my own agreement is going to be signed or not.
“And so ASUU would want to state in very clear terms and, in the clearest terms possible, that we stand with SSANU, we stand with NASU, we stand with NAAT to ensure that their collective bargaining process is ended on the table that it started.
“Even though, this position is not part of our agreement, it’s not part of what we signed with the government, I think for fairness and justice, it is very important for government to conclude with other unions without further delay.”
Piwuna, however, also expressed displeasure over the delay in salaries that ASUU members have been experiencing in the last four months, even with the signing of the agreement, declaring that ASUU is totally against such practice.
He explained that a standing resolution by ASUU is that any month salaries of members get delayed beyond the third day of a new month in any of its branches nationwide, the lecturers there should withdraw their service until their salaries are paid.
He noted, “That was the case in January when some universities sought permission from the national leadership to embark on an action, and we pacified them based on what the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, told us then.
“The Minister told us that the delay in the full implementation of our agreement, especially salaries, was a result of the non-passage of the 2026 national budget.
“And we have stated this many times before that we don’t know which budget Nigeria operates.
“This is because recently, the government publicly claimed that some aspects of the 2024 and 2025 budgets were still in operation even at a time when passing the 2026 budget, and that part of the 2025 budget will remain operational until June or July.
“So, we don’t have a clear-cut budget cycle as a country, and this is very unfortunate.
“We were all taught, even in elementary school, that the annual budget starts and ends within one year.
“But it appears that the operators of our economy now seem to have an argument for any bad thing that they want to do.
“So, the salaries have not been consistent even though the budget has been passed.”
Piwuna, who equally accused the Federal Government of taking the issue of education development with levity, said there are lots of issues pressing for government attention to address.
He pointed out that ASUU would certainly take a concrete and comprehensive stance on each of those issues when the leadership of the union meets either on May 9 or 10.
He mentioned parts of the issues to include, but not limited to, delay in salaries payment and the establishment of the National Research Council that will be financing research and development, not setting aside the Stabilisation fund, infractions by some pro-chancellors and chairmen of governing councils, accused of interfering in the normal day-to-day running of universities, as well as a proposal to remove some academic courses from curriculum.
He said these issues are critical to the development of university education in the country and therefore need to be addressed by the government.
He declared that “ASUU is going to respond to all these issues and any other ones that may emerge before the NEC meeting.”
In his own contribution, President of SSANU, Mohammed Ibrahim, also expressed displeasure over what he described as insincerity of government in addressing challenges faced by the public universities and their workers, which the “pending new agreement is aimed to address.
According to him, university workers are supposed to be treated well to enable them to put in their best to solve part of Nigeria’s problems.
“But these delays in payment of salaries is like cancer, dampening the morale of members and generality of workers in the universities,” he stressed.
Giving insights into why JAC declared the nationwide strike, SSANU’s Vice President, Western Zone, Dr. Abdulsobur Abdulsalam, said it was simply because government had pushed them to the wall.
He accused the government of a lack of respect for collective bargaining with the unions, stating that the renegotiation process that has been taking place for more than two years could be addressed within two weeks if there is genuine intention and willingness on the part of the government.
Abdulsalam said JAC had given the government more than enough time to conclude the renegotiation process and commence implementation, but it was still delaying the process with no timeline in sight, and instead, introducing wage awards.
“So, our last ultimatum to government was till the end of April and there is nothing we can do again than to embark on strike as our last instrument to react and the action is going to be total and comprehensive,” he stressed.
Giving welcome remarks, Chairman of EWAN, Mr. Mojeed Alabi, said the move by SSANU and NASU to go on strike is not unexpected, noting that the signs were very visible for more than five months.
He, however, noted that the essence of EWAN’s monthly dialogue is to brainstorm on a workable solution to any pressing national issues as related to education with a view to moving the sector forward.
He said there is no country that can attain true economic prosperity without quality education in place.
Africa’s biggest corporate supporter of culture, Globacom, is commemorating the life and legacy of the late Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, at this year’s Ojude Oba Festival, marking the 21st consecutive year of its sponsorship of the cultural event.
This year’s edition, themed “Ojude Oba 2026: Celebrating the Legacy of Oba Sikiru Adetona,” is taking place at the Festival Pavilion opposite the royal palace in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.
The celebration pays glowing tribute to the remarkable accomplishments of the late monarch, who transited on Sunday, July 13, 2025, after an illustrious reign spanning 65 years.
The departed monarch ascended the throne on April 2, 1960, and during his reign, the profile and prestige of the Ojude Oba Festival grew tremendously, making it one of Africa’s most celebrated cultural events.
In a statement issued in Lagos, Globacom posited that Oba Adetona’s unwavering dedication to preserving and promoting Ijebu culture, traditions, and values was a major factor behind the company’s continued support for the festival.
According to the company, “This year’s celebration goes beyond our traditional role as sponsor over the past two decades. It is an opportunity to honour the exceptional legacy of the revered monarch, Oba Adetona, whose vision and commitment elevated Ojude Oba to its present status.”
Globacom recalled that the late Awujale played a pivotal role in transforming the festival into a unifying platform that brought together Ijebu sons and daughters from across the world, regardless of religious affiliation.
This inclusive vision and royal leadership, said Glo, inspired the company to begin sponsoring the festival 21 years ago. Over the years of Globacom’s sponsorship, Ojude Oba has evolved into a globally recognized cultural celebration, attracting thousands of visitors and dignitaries from within and outside Nigeria.
The company reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining its support for the festival as part of its broader objective of showcasing Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage to the world.
By Henry Ukazu
Dear Destiny Friends,
Everyone experiences life in different ways. There’s absolutely nobody on planet earth who hasn’t encountered situations or circumstances that shaped them or gave them different perceptions of life. No matter how we try, we can’t run away from problems. A friend once jokingly said, problems are like women; they are the “necessary evil” you can’t avoid, especially when they have an interest in you.
We all experience life in our families, relationships, academics, spiritual life, careers, health, and even personal life. But what makes the ultimate difference is how we’ll react to it.
Let me explain a little bit using a case study of family, health, career, academic, spiritual, and personal aspects.
Family
It’s instructive to note that what makes a family is secret, so imagine a case where the secret of a family is divulged. There’s bound to be problems that will arise. Another scenario is when a family experiences the death of a loved one. I think that’s one of the most painful experiences one can ever experience because losing a loved one is no joke. The death of a family member can shatter a family if not properly managed.
Imagine a case where the head of the family, say a father, passes to glory and his wife is not financially stable to manage the family. The children will experience challenges that will shape their future. The question we need to ask ourselves is, how do we manage death when it happens?
Health
Another scenario that can shape us is our health. Health is so important that without it, one will not be able to function properly. There have been life-threatening health cases that lead to the untimely death of a sick patient. The question we need to ask ourselves is: how do we respond to these health challenges when it comes to us?
Career
Do you know your career can serve as an encounter which can shape you? Yes, an encounter is like an experience which can make one not remain the same. Do you also know that your career can make or mar you? Yes, while one’s career can serve as an instrument to one’s success, it can also lead to the demise of someone, especially if it’s not a purposeful career befitting the person.
Academic
Some schools of thought say that examination is not the true test of knowledge. There have been situations where one’s academic background can metamorphose them in the right direction, especially when one is intentional and purposeful in their chosen academic pursuit, and there have been scenarios when someone ventured into academic pursuits that are not suitable for them.
I was once a victim of this ugly experience when I ventured into Taxation Law at New York Law School. Despite earning a scholarship in the program, I knew for a fact, assuming I got a job, it won’t be fulfilling because I will be a victim of defective success.
Spiritual
One of the most defining moments of one’s life can be seen in their spiritual life. It’s sad to see most people playing with their spiritual life. They fail to realize that spirituality controls the physical. When we talk of spirituality, there are two types. Those for God and those for gods. It’s always good for one to align to one side, but as a matter of advice, it’s always good for one to stay on the side of God.
There are many situations that would have ended one’s life, but due to one’s neglect of one’s spiritual life, the life can be cut short. Question: How do you respond to spiritual things when spiritual forces push you around?
Personal
Last but not least is our personal life. How we respond to life challenges in our academic, health, finance, relationship, career, or even spiritual life can determine how far we go in life. Remember, it’s instructive to note that it is our attitude and not aptitude that will determine our altitude to life.
The big question we need to ask ourselves now is: how do we respond to these challenging circumstances or issues? The answer is attitude. You’ll agree with me, you may not always be able to choose your circumstances, but you can choose to respond to them.
There was a touching story about a man who was unjustly and wrongfully convicted for murder, and he spent many years in prison awaiting trial, another fifteen years for final judgment to be delivered, and yet another ten years on death row. In all this travail, he managed to keep his sanity.
Finally, on the day he was to be executed, fresh evidence indicating his innocence prompted the governor to order his immediate release. At the prison gates he sad “ all a man can be taken from him, except the last form of the human freedoms, -the power to choose one’s attitude in all circumstances”.
Do you see, life is not really about what happens to us, but how we react. That’s what will make the difference.
In conclusion, regardless of how life challenges, circumstances, and situations push you around, just have a good attitude and outlook to life. Don’t allow it to weigh you down.
Henry Ukazu writes from New York. He works with the New York City Department of Correction as the Legal Coordinator. He’s the founder of Gloemi. He’s a Transformative Human Capacity and Mindset coach. He is also a public speaker, youth advocate, creative writer and author of Design Your Destiny Design and Unleash Your Destiny . He can be reached via info@gloemi.com
The Defence Headquarters has said the recent kidnap incident in Oyo State was carried out by terrorists displaced from other parts of the country following intensified military operations.
The military high command stated this on Thursday while reacting to what it described as “mischievous and misleading publications” surrounding comments credited to the Defence Headquarters on the classification of terrorists and criminal elements operating in the South-West.
In a statement signed by the Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj Gen Michael Onoja, the DHQ said the attackers behind the Oyo abduction were members of the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad terrorist group displaced by sustained military offensives across the country.
“The recent incidence of kidnap in Oyo State was clearly perpetrated by terrorists of the JAS Group that have been dislodged from other parts of the country due to high-intensity operations being conducted all over,” the statement read.
The DHQ denied reports suggesting it referred to terrorists operating in the South-West as ordinary criminals, insisting that such interpretations were inaccurate and misleading.
“It is, therefore, inaccurate and misleading to suggest that the Defence Headquarters, at any point, referred to vicious and violent terrorists as criminals,” Onoja stated.
The military said its earlier clarification on security developments in the South-West was aimed at providing an intelligence-based context to avoid misinformation and unnecessary panic among residents.
It also stressed that the Armed Forces of Nigeria remained committed to supporting constitutional governance and protecting democratic institutions.
“At no time did the Defence Headquarters undermine the authority of any democratically elected leader or seek to diminish the gravity of the heinous crime committed against innocent citizens by terrorist elements,” the statement added.
The DHQ further disclosed that troops remained actively deployed across affected areas in collaboration with other security agencies and local stakeholders to dismantle terrorist and criminal networks threatening national peace and stability.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria remain resolute in dismantling all criminal and terrorist networks threatening the peace, stability and unity of the nation,” the statement said.
The clarification followed recent attacks on communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, where armed terrorists abducted pupils, teachers and other residents from Community High School, Ahoro-Esinle.
The incident also left several persons dead, while one of the abducted teachers, Michael Oyedokun, was later killed after a video linked to the attack surfaced online.
