The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, demanding the immediate payment of all outstanding salary arrears or facing an indefinite strike across public universities nationwide.
The resolution was announced in a communique signed by SSANU National President, Mr. Mohammed Ibrahim, following the union’s 56th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held from September 30 to October 1 at the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Ibrahim warned that should the Federal Government fail to address their demands before the deadline expires, university staff will down tools without further notice.
Central to the union’s demands is the full implementation of the 2026 FGN/SSANU agreement and the immediate release of arrears arising from the 2026 Consolidated University Non-Teaching Staff Salary Structure (CONTTA), backdated to January 1, 2026.
The union president noted that several universities had resorted to using internally generated revenue to implement the new structure due to a lack of direct financial backing from the Federal Government. He urged Vice-Chancellors and Governing Councils of defaulting institutions to take proactive measures to pay their staff.
The immediate release of two months’ withheld salaries dating back to the 2022 industrial action.
One-year arrears resulting from the approved 25% and 35% salary increments.
Full funding and implementation of agreements across state-owned universities, calling on state governors to step up financial support.
Ibrahim described the owed funds as “legitimate entitlements” and stressed that continued delays have exacerbated severe financial hardship for university personnel.
Beyond welfare, the NEC communique highlighted critical concerns regarding university administration and national welfare:
Campus Infrastructure: SSANU called for urgent capital investment in university power supplies, laboratories, libraries, ICT infrastructure, and physical security systems, while explicitly rejecting “virtual accreditation” in favor of rigorous physical verification.
Public Education Ownership: The union strongly opposed any plans to concession, privatize, or transfer the management of King’s College, Lagos, or any public educational institution to private entities, insisting on affordable and accessible public education.
Socio-Economic Hardship: Expressing alarm over inflation, food insecurity, and widespread violence, the union urged the government to implement stronger protective measures for agricultural communities, educational centers, and workers’ purchasing power.
