From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has called on the Federal Government to urgently address lingering issues affecting its members and the Nigerian university system or risk industrial unrest.
This was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the union’s 51st National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held recently in Kano State.
In the communiqué signed by its National President, Mohammed lIbrahim, SSANU demanded for the release of two months’ withheld salaries of its members who participated in the 2022 industrial action.
The union condemned what it described as unjust punishment of its members, saying the continued withholding of the salaries undermines efforts to restore industrial harmony.
It also decried the persistent delay in salary payments to federal university workers, often weeks after other federal employees have been paid, labeling the trend as discriminatory and unacceptable.
SSANU further expressed concern over the Federal Government’s continued breach of agreements, including Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and Memoranda of Action (MoAs) signed with the union. It warned that failure to implement these agreements may compel the union to take lawful steps to enforce compliance.
“The Union reiterates that such agreements, having been reached through structured dialogue and mutual consent are binding and must be honoured in full,” the communiqué stated.
SSANU also condemned the disbursement of the N50 billion earned allowance, of which only N10 billion (20 percent) was allocated to the three non-teaching unions namely SSANU, NASU, and NAAT.
The union described the allocation as unjust and a violation of the MoU signed with the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of NASU and SSANU in August 2022.
Additionally, it expressed disappointment at the lack of progress on the renegotiation of the 2009 FG/SSANU agreement, and called on the Federal Government’s Renegotiation Committee to immediately resume discussions and bring them to a timely conclusion to avert further industrial crisis in the university system.
More also, SSANU raised alarm over the growing state of insecurity, particularly the mass killings in Benue, Plateau and other parts of the country.
It called on the government to declare a national emergency on security, invest in modern security infrastructure, and tackle root causes such as poverty, youth unemployment, and social injustice.
SSANU NEC noted that recent economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies and currency unification, have worsened the living conditions of Nigerians. It urged the Federal Government to implement social protection measures such as food subsidies, fuel vouchers, and conditional cash transfers to cushion the impact on vulnerable citizens and low-income earners.
The union also decried the rising incidence of climate-related disasters such as flooding and environmental degradation. It called for a national disaster response framework aligned with global climate realities and urged proactive engagement with environmental and emergency agencies to protect lives and livelihoods.
In conclusion, SSANU urged the Federal Government to show sincerity and responsiveness to the union’s demands. It reaffirmed its commitment to equity, professionalism, and good governance in the university system and pledged to continue protecting the welfare and dignity of its members.