The Joint Action Committe (JAC) of the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU), Lapai, Niger State, comprising the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASUU), National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), has grounded activities in the university over unpaid allowance and arrears.

But Adamu Isah, JAC chairman, in a telephone interview, told FIJ said the strike, which started on Thursday, was to force the government to fulfil its part of the agreement reached with the union earlier.

“The government had reneged our January 22 agreement with them and that is why we are embarking on this strike,” he told FIJ.

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Basir Sarkin Daji, the university’s Dean of Students’ Affairs, buttressed Adamu’s points. He disclosed that the union was willing to suspend the strike on Thursday afternoon after a meeting with the management.

“But we realised that many students had gone home and if we suspended the strike, the majority would miss their exams,” he told FIJ.

The striking workers are demanding from the government their unpaid Earned Academic Allowance (EAA) and arrears of minimum wage, among other things. 

However, a student union leader in the school, who spoke to FIJ in confidence, said he saw no reason for the strike. “Most of what the unions are agitating for could either be addressed by the management or the state government,” he said.

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Bashir assured that the striking union and the management would have reached a common ground by January.