Academic and administrative activities at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, have been paralysed following an indefinite strike embarked upon by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of SSANU and NASU.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the strike commenced on May 1 in line with a directive from the unions’ national bodies.
Monitoring by NAN revealed that several key facilities on campus, including the Senate Building, library and sickbay, were shut.
The Works and Estate Department was also closed, resulting in disruption of essential services such as water and electricity supply across the university.
The action has further disrupted ongoing first-semester examinations, with lecture halls and classrooms locked.
Addressing journalists during a peaceful protest at the university’s main campus, the SSANU ABU branch chairman, Mr Shuaibu-Ahmed Halilu, said the unions were fully complying with a national directive.
Halilu, who leads the JAC at ABU, described the strike as total and indefinite, noting that all non-academic operations had been grounded.
He said the central administrative block was deserted, with no access to electricity, water or healthcare services.
He further stated that SSANU and NASU were not in conflict with ASUU, but were united in demanding improved welfare and equity for members.
According to him, the strike is driven by five major demands, including salary adjustments, payment of arrears, settlement of earned allowances, and renegotiation of the 2009 agreement.
Other demands include increased funding for universities to improve infrastructure and security, as well as rejection of the proposed 30 per cent consolidated salary increase.
