Protesters Demand Withheld Salaries from Federal Government at Uni Ibadan

A protest was held at the University of Ibadan on Tuesday, July 9, by members of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU). The protest aimed to press their demands on the Federal Government of Nigeria.

This protest caused traffic disruptions for commuters, beginning at the main gate of the University of Ibadan and extending to the Ojoo-UI road, with restrictions even for passersby.

The protesters came out in large numbers as early as 9:00 a.m., carrying posters, banners, and placards with various messages. They shouted for the payment of their withheld salaries, which had been unpaid for over four months, expressing their grievances.

Some of the protesters were saying, “Give us our money, give us our money; our families are hungry.” Their posters and banners bore messages such as “We need our money 2019-2022.”

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The spokesman, Mr. Oluwafemi Ogunlade Olawafemi, the chairman of NASU, acknowledged the reasons for their protest. He said, “This protest is a result of our unpaid salaries for four months.” He added that the Federal Government had turned a deaf ear to their pleas to pay the outstanding salaries since 2020, and all efforts had been in vain. He further expressed his feelings, saying:

“We are the people working in the university, and nobody is in the office. We are the ones that lock the offices, open lecture theatres, and compute results. Without us, nothing can work in the university,” Mr. Ogunlade said.

He added that members’ salaries were withheld when the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari invoked the “no work, no pay” policy during a prolonged strike action in 2022.

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He said the government needs to at least hear the cries of the people and address the issue of the minimum wage to reduce Nigerian workers’ burden in this harsh economy. The cost of living is high, and the prices of food and other commodities are exorbitant.

However, the current president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has commanded the payment of the withheld salaries for the other union, ASUU, but unfortunately, NASU was left out. This exclusion led to their protest.