The heavy security stationed at the Unity Fountain in Abuja as a group of demonstrators from the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU) gathered for a nationwide protest, is enough to make one think that Nigeria is preparing for a war.
As we speak, several protesters have already arrived at the Unity Fountain.
As expected, some of the protesters have been prevented from entering by security personnel.
This led to commotion from the protesters, leaving the security guards no choice but to open the gate.
Now, the demonstrators have used their trucks to block the entrance to the Unity Fountain.
The Demands
Protest of this nature do not come without demands.
For these protesters, all they want is the release of their four months’ unpaid salaries.
Furthermore, they want the reevaluation of the 2010 agreement with the Federal Government, among other requests.
Back in 2022, both unions, along with the Academic Staff Union of Universities, went on a prolonged strike.
Nationwide Protest
While the SSANU and NASU strikes lasted four months, the ASUU strike continued for eight months.
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Indeed, President Bola Tinubu had directed that all the affected staff should be paid their four-month salaries.
However, SSANU and NASU members allege that they have not been paid, unlike ASUU members.
Both unions have urged their members to participate in a nationwide protest on July 9 at all state chapters, with a subsequent nationwide protest planned for Abuja today.
