02 Dec 2017 | 07:58 PM UTC
Nigeria: Non-academic university staff strike to resume Dec. 4
Non-academic university staff to resume nationwide indefinite strike December 4; avoid all demonstrations
Event
Non-academic staff at Nigerian universities will resume a nationwide indefinite strike on Monday, December 4. The strike comes after the government allegedly failed to implement an agreement reached with the three different unions on September 25. Related street protests are to be anticipated.
Context
Non-academic staff initially launched the strike on September 11 to demand that the government adhere to agreements made with the unions in 2009. The strike was called off on September 25, following the signing of a new agreement with the government that would disperse some NGN 23 billion (USD 63.9 million) to cover wage arrears. However, union officials believe that the funds distributed by the government are allocated disproportionately toward academic staff.
Advice
Individuals in Nigeria are advised to avoid any form of public demonstration or public gathering as a precaution.
On a general note, the security environment in Nigeria is complex and is particularly concerning in the northeast and extreme south of the country due to the presence of armed groups, high crime rates, and the risk of kidnapping. Some Western governments consequently advise against travel to certain areas of the northeast (e.g. states of Borno, Yobe, Gombe, Bauchi, and Jigawa as well as parts of Kano and Adamawa states) and the southern Niger Delta region (e.g. states of Delta, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers). Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to travel to these areas.
