The University of Cross River (UNICROSS), Calabar, was thrown into disarray on Thursday as members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) embarked on a peaceful protest that paralyzed academic and administrative activities across the institution.
The demonstration, which was part of a nationwide solidarity action by non-teaching staff unions in Nigerian universities, sought to compel the Federal Government to fulfill the terms of the long-standing 2009 agreement signed with the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of SSANU and NASU.
According to reports from the university community, the protesters gathered early in the morning at the Calabar campus, chanting solidarity songs and carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Implement the 2009 Agreement Now,” “Pay Our Earned Allowances,” and “Enough of Government’s Deceit.”
Peaceful Demonstration but Total Shutdown of Activities
Despite the peaceful nature of the protest, the impact on university operations was enormous. Offices remained locked, administrative units were deserted, and several ongoing academic activities, including examinations and lectures, were abruptly suspended.
The protesting staff said the decision to down tools was not taken lightly but became necessary after several appeals to the Federal Government were ignored. The union leaders emphasized that their action was not against the university management but aimed at drawing national attention to the non-payment of wages, allowances, and other entitlements due to non-teaching staff members across public universities.
Union Leaders Speak: “We Have Been Pushed to the Wall”
Speaking during the protest, the NASU Chairman, Comrade Atim Amah, stated that non-academic staff in universities have been subjected to untold hardship as a result of the government’s failure to honor agreements that have been in place for more than a decade.
“Our members have been patient for too long. We signed an agreement with the Federal Government in 2009, and up till today, that agreement has not been fully implemented. The economic situation has worsened, and many of our members are struggling to survive. We cannot continue this way,” Amah said.
Similarly, the SSANU Secretary, Comrade Sunny Inaku, described the action as part of a broader movement to awaken the conscience of the government.
“This protest is not peculiar to UNICROSS alone. It is a national action, and we are only joining our colleagues across the country to demand justice. We are saying that the Federal Government must live up to its promises, implement the 2009 agreement, pay our arrears, and respect collective bargaining,” he stated.
The 2009 Agreement: A Decade of Broken Promises
The 2009 agreement between the Federal Government and the Joint Action Committee of SSANU and NASU was expected to address several welfare-related issues, including earned allowances, staff training, improved working conditions, and funding for universities.
However, more than fifteen years later, the unions insist that only a fraction of the agreement has been implemented, leaving staff demoralized and disillusioned. They argue that the continued neglect of non-teaching staff has created inequality in the university system, with academic staff often prioritized while the administrative and technical backbone of institutions is ignored.
The unions also faulted the government for excluding SSANU and NASU members from salary reviews and palliatives given to university workers, saying such selective implementation of policies undermines unity and fairness within the tertiary education system.
Effects on Students and University Operations
The sudden disruption of academic activities has left many students stranded, as most offices were locked and lectures suspended. Some students who spoke anonymously expressed concern that the ongoing protests could lead to further academic delays, especially for final-year students preparing for examinations and project defenses.
“I came to submit my project draft, but everywhere was closed. The offices are under lock and key, and we were told that the unions are protesting. I just hope this issue is resolved quickly because time is already against us,” a 400-level student lamented.
Administrative staff members also confirmed that essential services such as record processing, student verification, and internal correspondence were completely halted due to the demonstration.
Nationwide Solidarity Action
The action at UNICROSS mirrors similar demonstrations across various Nigerian universities, as SSANU and NASU chapters nationwide joined forces to express their grievances. The unions said the protest was only a warning and hinted that if the government fails to respond, they might escalate the action into a full-blown strike that could completely shut down universities nationwide.
Union officials further explained that the protest was in accordance with directives from their national leadership, who had given the Federal Government a 14-day ultimatum to implement the outstanding demands or face industrial action.
Calls for Dialogue and Urgent Government Intervention
Education stakeholders in Cross River State have called on both parties to return to the negotiation table to prevent the situation from degenerating further. They warned that prolonged disruption could have a devastating impact on the academic calendar, leading to sessional extensions and loss of morale among students and staff.
A senior lecturer at the university, who pleaded anonymity, emphasized the need for the government to handle the issue with urgency.
“The non-academic staff play a vital role in running the university system. When they are unhappy, the system cannot function. The government must act swiftly to prevent another nationwide shutdown like we witnessed in the past,” he said.
The Bigger Picture
Observers believe that the recurring disputes between the Federal Government and university-based unions reflect deeper systemic issues within Nigeria’s education sector — including poor funding, inconsistent policy implementation, and lack of accountability.
With the country striving to reposition its higher education system for global competitiveness, industrial unrest remains a major stumbling block to achieving stability and academic excellence. The ongoing SSANU and NASU protests serve as yet another reminder that sustainable dialogue, mutual respect, and genuine commitment to staff welfare are indispensable for a functional university environment.
Conclusion
As of press time, normal academic activities at the University of Cross River remain paralyzed, with staff and students waiting anxiously for a resolution. The protest by SSANU and NASU members has once again brought to light the urgent need for the Federal Government to fulfill its promises and ensure that university workers — both academic and non-academic — receive fair and timely treatment.
Until then, the peaceful but impactful demonstrations at UNICROSS stand as a bold statement of resistance against years of neglect and broken commitments in Nigeria’s education sector.
