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The five-day warning strike embarked upon by Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities and the None Academic Staff of Universities (NASU) paralysed major activities at the nation’s ivory towers.
At Nigeria’s premier University of Ibadan (UI), the workers complied with the directive of the national bodies, the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of none teaching staff at the university said the action was aimed at making the Federal Government to accede to their demands.
Union leaders locked up the three entrance gates as early as 7am at UI, denying people and vehicular access, but the university’s central gate was however, partially locked about 8am.
While vehicular movement was restricted, students trekked to receive lectures while administrative activities were paralysed.
The Institution’s gate was still locked at 4pm causing traffic snarl both within and outside the university in the industrial action jointly executed by Chairman of SSANU, Wale Akinremi and his NASU counterpart, Malaki Etim.
They explained that the unions were demanding payment of a minimum of N30 billion to defray earned allowances between 2012 and 2016, among other demands.
At the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, the unions also participated in the nationwide warning strike embarked upon by the association.
SSANU Chairman, Ademola Oketunde, said the unions had to comply with the JAC Chairman, Samson Ugwoke’s directive to participate in the industrial action.
He noted that the strike was intended to register their grievances with the Federal Government, following its failure to meet their demands and the need to do the needful.
Besides, the University of Benin Chapter commenced a five-day industrial action.
A visit to the Ugbowo and Ekenwan campuses showed that the main entrance gates were partially closed to traffic, while other access gates were closed.
At the Cross River State University of Technology (CRUTECH) and University of Calabar, the unions joined their counterparts on the warning over Federal Government’s failure to grant their demands.
CRUTECH NASU Secretary, Eno Ekweboma, said the action came as a directive from the National Headquarter to embark on the warning strike.
