The Chairman of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), University of Abuja chapter, Nurudeen Yusuf is battling allegations that he assaulted the treasurer, Mrs Precious Sokari, during an executive meeting on Thursday, 10 July.
Multiple union members claim the incident occurred at the SSANU Secretariat during a heated disagreement over Mr Yusuf’s alleged unilateral formation of 11 committees—an action critics say violates the union’s constitution and bye-laws.
A petition has been submitted to the university management calling for immediate disciplinary action. One member, speaking anonymously, described Mr Yusuf as a “serial abuser” and warned that ignoring the matter could damage staff morale and undermine industrial harmony.
This is not the first controversy involving Mr Yusuf. In May 2023, union members accused him of misappropriating staff allowances.
Mr Yusuf has denied the latest claims, calling them politically motivated and based on hearsay. “There are internal mechanisms to handle disagreements. This is another attempt to destabilise the union,” he told newsmen.
University authorities have yet to comment on the incident.