Activities at the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) were disrupted on Monday as members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities(SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union(NASU) continued their nationwide indefinite strike, demanding improved welfare conditions.
The non-teaching staff unions staged a peaceful protest at the university’s main gate, displaying placards while withdrawing essential services across key departments, effectively bringing operations on campus to a halt.
At the heart of their demands is a 45 per cent salary increase and the full implementation of the long-standing 2009 agreement.
Chairman of SSANU, UNILORIN Chapter, Falowo Olushola, said the unions had firmly rejected the Federal Government’s earlier proposal of a 30 per cent salary increase, describing it as unacceptable.
“Basically today, our demand is the conclusion, signing and implementation of the 2009 agreement. We reject the 30% that was proposed to us outrightly. All staff in federal universities have rejected it. Our demand is 45% and that is final.”
“If they want to give us anything lesser, let them present it clearly, but we do not want anything below 45%.”
Olushola noted that the unions had exercised patience over the years, issuing several ultimatums without meaningful action from the government before commencing the strike.
“In March 2026, we gave the Federal Government an ultimatum of May 1, but nothing was done before it expired. Today is May 4, and they are still calling for meetings. We need a government that will prioritise the survival of education.”
He emphasised that the industrial action is total and not a warning strike, stressing the critical role non-teaching staff play in university operations.
“Our members work round-the-clock. We handle security, ICT, finance, transport, and other services that keep the university running.”
Also speaking, NASU Chairman at UNILORIN, Comrade Suberu Haruna Ibrahim, traced the dispute back to 2017, when renegotiation of the 2009 agreement began.
“This renegotiation has been on since 2017, yet the government has not concluded the non-teaching staff component. We cannot continue like this.”
“Just this January, teaching staff were given about 40% increase, while non-teaching staff were left out. We are demanding that the same be extended to us and backdated accordingly.”
He described the strike as comprehensive and indefinite, noting that non-academic staff across the country have withdrawn their services.
“It is a comprehensive, indefinite strike, not a warning. We have issued warnings over the past two months and nothing was done. Now, we have taken our destiny into our hands.”
Ibrahim also highlighted outstanding welfare issues, including unpaid arrears of one year and two months dating back to 2022.
“All these must be addressed. Our future and welfare concern us a lot.”
The absence of non-teaching staff has already begun to impact daily activities on campus, with essential services halted.
“You can see students trekking because transport services are no longer available. Our members are responsible for driving and other essential services. They should feel the impact so that the government can act quickly.”
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