There Is Clear Hardship By Your Poor Governance – Nigerian Universities Staff SSANU Knocks Tinubu Over Arrest Of Peaceful Protesters

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has criticized the Nigerian government for its treatment of peaceful protesters. SSANU condemned the government’s actions as “barbaric and undemocratic,” highlighting that peaceful protest is a fundamental right that should be upheld by authorities.In a communiqué following its 49th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja, SSANU President Mohammed Ibrahim denounced the Bola Tinubu-led administration’s response to peaceful demonstrations. He noted that democratic governments should not use force to suppress legitimate protests, particularly when these protests are a response to evident governance failures.Ibrahim detailed incidents where members of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of SSANU and NASU faced harassment and intimidation while protesting at the Unity Fountain in Abuja. SSANU criticized the excessive use of force by law enforcement, particularly the Nigerian police, against peaceful protesters, which included arrests and even fatalities.The NEC urged the police and other law enforcement agencies to cease their aggressive and undemocratic practices, calling for professionalism to mitigate the already tense national climate. Additionally, SSANU called on the Federal Government to release the N50 billion allocated in the 2023 budget to cover earned allowances for its members.The association also expressed disapproval of a new policy announced by the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, which sets 18 as the minimum age for taking the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) and for admission into tertiary institutions starting in 2025. SSANU, alongside other education sector stakeholders, argued that this policy could hinder educational progress and urged the government to engage in thorough consultations to address potential issues in the education sector.