By MUSTAPHA YAURI

The strike action embarked upon by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) has paralysed academic and administrative activities at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the JAC of SSANU and NASU directed an indefinite strike effective from May 1.

NAN correspondent who monitored the situation on campus, observed that key facilities, including the Senate Building, university library and sickbay, were under lock and key.

Similarly, the Works and Estate Department was shut down, resulting in disruption of water and electricity supply across the institution.

Further findings indicated that the strike coincided with the ongoing first semester examinations, as lecture halls and classrooms remained closed.

Speaking during a peaceful protest at the university’s main campus, the Chairman of SSANU, ABU branch, Mr Shuaibu-Ahmed Halilu, said the action was in compliance with a directive from the national body.

Halilu, who also serves as JAC Chairman, described the strike as total and indefinite, affecting both academic and administrative operations.

“As you can see, we are at the central administrative block of the university and it is deserted.

“There is no electricity, water and healthcare services in the university,” he said.

He added that SSANU and NASU were not in rivalry with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), but were partners in progress, emphasising the unions’ demand for equity.

According to him, the strike is based on five key demands, including salary increase and payment of arrears, settlement of earned allowances and renegotiation of the 2009 agreement.

Others, he said, are improved funding of universities to enhance infrastructure and security, as well as rejection of the proposed 30 per cent consolidated salary increase. (NAN)

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