Bomba Dauda
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP), Nigerian Institute of Leather and Science Technology (NILEST) chapter, has issued a warning to resume its previously suspended strike action if urgent staff welfare demands are not met by midnight on Thursday, May 23, 2025.
In a letter addressed to the Director General/CEO of NILEST, the union detailed several unresolved issues following an emergency congress held on Thursday, May 22. Signed by Comrade Adamu Ibrahim, Chairman of the SSANIP NILEST chapter, and other union executives, the document accuses the management of unfair treatment and neglect of staff entitlements.
Key demands outlined by the union include:
- Reversal of Change of Cadre/Lateral Conversion: The union called for the immediate reversal of the demotion of Comrade Adamu Ibrahim, Deputy Director of Finance and Accounts, describing the move as an act of victimization by the management.
- Review of Staff Postings from Extension Centres: SSANIP demanded a reversal of recent staff transfers, stressing the need for industrial peace and harmony.
- Payment of Outstanding Promotion Arrears: The union urged the prompt payment of five months’ worth of promotion arrears from 2023 and 2024.
- Unpaid Salaries for January 2022: SSANIP called on the management to settle outstanding salaries for staff at the institute’s extension centres.
- Settlement of Backlog of Claims: Members’ accrued claims should be paid without further delay, the union insisted.
- Repatriation Allowance: The union reminded management that staff transferred from their original stations are entitled to repatriation allowances, which have yet to be paid.
- Lack of Consultation on Staff Welfare: SSANIP accused the DG of taking unilateral decisions affecting staff welfare, without consulting relevant stakeholders.
- Non-Payment of Drivers’ Bonuses: The union demanded the immediate payment of 2023 non-accident bonuses and 2024 accident bonuses owed to institute drivers.
SSANIP warned that failure by management to address these grievances by the stated deadline would force the union to resume the suspended industrial action.
Copies of the notice were forwarded to the SSANIP National Secretariat, Zonal Coordinator, NILEST extension centres, and local security agencies, including the State Security Service and Police Area Command in Zaria.
