The Moses Orshio Adasu University in Makurdi is facing an indefinite strike declared by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Non‑Academic Staff Union of Associated and Educational Institutions and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities. The strike, announced on Tuesday, protests the non‑payment of welfare arrears, which has left thousands of staff in financial distress.
According to the unions, the decision followed an emergency congress where members highlighted management’s failure to implement the new national minimum wage, the 25 %/35 % salary increase, and payment of arrears. Additional demands include implementing promotion increments for staff promoted between 2022 and 2024, settling gratuities, regularly paying pensions with arrears, and reinstating monthly remittances to the Contributory Pension Scheme.
Comrade Shishi Luper, Chairman of JAC‑MOAUM, said the strike came after three separate ultimatums to management were exhausted. He noted that, despite the congress’s goodwill in maintaining industrial harmony, members have endured severe hardship due to unmet welfare demands.
The Acting Vice‑Chancellor, Prof. Simon Ubwa, and the Registrar, Mr. Barnabas Hemba, attended the meeting to request more time, with Ubwa reportedly asking for an extension until the end of September to resolve the issues. However, when the matter was put to a vote, the majority of members chose an immediate strike. Consequently, the JAC has instructed all members to withdraw their services and remain at home until all demands are satisfied.
The strike is expected to disrupt the university’s normal operations, affecting students and academic activities. Management will need to address the unions’ concerns to resolve the crisis and restore normalcy. This action at Moses Orshio Adasu University is the latest in a series of industrial disputes within Nigeria’s education sector, underscoring the ongoing challenges faced by tertiary institutions. With the strike set to continue indefinitely, the university community and stakeholders will be closely monitoring developments and awaiting a resolution.
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