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From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has called on the Federal and state governments to immediately implement the 2026 Federal Government/SSANU Agreement and release funds for the payment of salary review arrears to its members.
The union made the demand in a communiqué issued at the end of its 55th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, from July 22 to 24, 2026.
Signed by the National President of SSANU, Mr Mohammed Haruna Ibrahim, the communiqué urged governments to ensure the prompt, full and non-discriminatory implementation of the agreement, warning against any attempt to deny negotiated benefits to members.
SSANU also called for the immediate activation of the agreement’s Implementation Monitoring Committee to ensure compliance and address any violations.
“The implementation of the agreement must be done promptly, fully and without encroachment or discrimination,” the union stated.
It further warned against punitive postings, delayed promotions, harassment or any form of victimisation of workers for participating in lawful union activities, stressing that the negotiated benefits apply only to constitutionally recognised members of the union.
The NEC commended the signing of the 2026 FGN/SSANU Agreement on June 29, describing it as the culmination of years of negotiations and collective struggle.
According to the union, the agreement provides for a 35 per cent upward review of emoluments through the Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance (CONTTA), improved earned allowances, enhanced staff training and development, protection of non-teaching positions and equal career progression opportunities for qualified degree holders up to CONTISS 15.
While acknowledging the roles played by the Federal Government, the Expanded Tertiary Institutions Negotiation Committee and other stakeholders in concluding the negotiations, SSANU specifically commended the committee’s chairman, Mr Mahmud Ahmed, for what it described as his patience and commitment to constructive engagement.
On the outstanding 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary increase arrears, the union praised vice-chancellors and heads of institutions that had fully or partially paid the approved arrears.
However, it expressed concern that several universities and inter-university centres were yet to implement the salary review or pay the outstanding arrears, urging the affected institutions to do so without further delay.
Beyond workers’ welfare, SSANU renewed its call for improved funding of public universities, welcoming the Federal Government’s HOPE-EDU programme and the 2026 TETFund intervention of about ₦2.53 billion for each public university.
The union, however, maintained that TETFund interventions should complement, rather than replace, adequate government funding and urged the government to fulfil its ₦1.3 trillion public university revitalisation commitment.
It also called for greater investment in student and staff accommodation, electricity, laboratories, research, digital infrastructure, cybersecurity and staff development, while cautioning that digital transformation should not result in indiscriminate job losses or casualisation.
The NEC expressed concern over the country’s economic situation, noting that although headline inflation declined marginally from 15.93 per cent in May to 15.91 per cent in June, food inflation rose from 16.96 per cent to 17.52 per cent.
According to the union, the figures have not translated into meaningful relief for workers, prompting its call for measures to improve purchasing power, pensions, affordable housing, transportation and social protection.
On national security, SSANU condemned kidnapping, banditry, insurgency and communal violence, while calling for stronger efforts to secure schools, universities, highways and farming communities.
The union also demanded equal attention for all victims of insecurity, expressing concern that 42 children reportedly abducted in Mussa town, Borno State, had remained missing for more than two months.
It further supported ongoing efforts to establish state police but insisted that any such arrangement must contain constitutional safeguards to prevent political abuse and intimidation of workers, journalists, trade unionists and political opponents.
As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, SSANU called on political parties, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to conduct themselves professionally and transparently, while ensuring adequate protection and welfare for university workers engaged in electoral duties.
The union reaffirmed its commitment to industrial harmony, constructive dialogue, national unity and the defence of workers’ rights, pledging to continue monitoring the implementation of the 2026 agreement and advocating policies that promote the welfare of university workers and national development.
