Members of the non-teaching staff at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), have launched a peaceful protest demanding the release of their four months’ withheld salaries by the federal government since 2022.
Led by the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (SSANU), the protesters staged a sit-out at the entrance of the institution, carrying placards and chanting solidarity songs along the Akure-Ibadan highway. Despite their fervent demonstration, they ensured the flow of traffic was not obstructed.
Placards held by the protesters bore inscriptions such as, “FG, we are hungry,” “No double standards, pay us our withheld salaries,” and “FG, stop victimizing SSANU, non-teaching staff.” Another placard demanded, “Pay a living wage to workers as promised.”
Comrade Felix Adubi, Chairman of the Joint Negotiating Council (JAC) at FUTA, expressed the unions’ frustration, stating that they could no longer ensure industrial harmony within Nigerian universities. He highlighted that only one out of the four unions that went on strike in 2022 had been paid, leaving the others in distress.
“The divide and rule system of government is not acceptable to us. We are calling on Mr. President to make good on his promise. We are pleading with Mr. President to do the needful before the final straw,” Comrade Adubi declared. “Mr. President has promised there will be no crisis in Nigerian universities. We can no longer guarantee industrial harmony if Mr. President fails to do the needful.”
The protesting unions demand prompt action from the government to resolve the salary issues and prevent further disruption within the university system.
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