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From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has issued a fresh warning of a possible nationwide industrial action over the Federal Government’s delay in concluding the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement with university-based unions.
The threat was contained in a communiqué released at the end of the union’s 54th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at Ekiti State University, where members expressed dissatisfaction with what they described as the slow pace and inconclusive nature of ongoing discussions with the government.
In the document signed by its National President, Muhammed Ibrahim, SSANU said the prolonged negotiations, which have lingered without clear timelines or tangible outcomes, were unacceptable, stressing that patience among its members was wearing thin.
The union subsequently issued a one-month ultimatum to the Federal Government, from April 1 to April 30, 2026, to conclude the renegotiation process and sign a new agreement, failing which it would mobilise its members, alongside the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, under the Joint Action Committee (JAC), to embark on an indefinite and comprehensive strike.
“NEC makes it unequivocally clear that, in the event of such failure, there will be no going back on this decision,” the communiqué stated.
Beyond the delayed agreement, SSANU also decried persistent salary delays affecting workers in federal and some state universities, as well as the non-payment of approved increments and other withheld entitlements.
The union noted that the situation had imposed severe hardship on members, weakened morale, and undermined productivity across the university system, calling for the immediate settlement of all outstanding salary-related issues.
It further recommended the adoption of the Remita platform for salary payments, citing its reliability and efficiency in ensuring seamless transactions.
On earned allowances, SSANU faulted the implementation of the N50 billion approved for university workers in 2022, alleging that several categories of staff, including those in inter-university centres and research institutes, were excluded from previous disbursements.
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The union insisted that all eligible workers must benefit from the allowances without discrimination.
SSANU also raised concerns over the worsening economic situation in the country, noting that rising inflation and cost of living had significantly eroded the purchasing power of workers.
It urged the government to implement urgent relief measures, including wage reviews and improved social protection programmes, to cushion the effects of the economic hardship.
On the state of universities, the union lamented the persistent underfunding of the education sector, which it said had led to decaying infrastructure, weak service delivery, and inadequate support for teaching, research, and innovation.
SSANU further expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation across the country, including incidents of terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and communal clashes, calling on the Federal Government to adopt more decisive and intelligence-driven strategies to safeguard lives and property.
It also highlighted the growing insecurity within university campuses, urging authorities to strengthen security architecture through improved surveillance, perimeter fencing, and rapid response systems.
While reaffirming its commitment to lawful engagement, SSANU pledged continued collaboration with the Nigeria Labour Congress in the pursuit of improved welfare for workers.
The union, however, warned that continued neglect of university workers’ welfare and delays in resolving critical labour issues could trigger a major disruption in the academic calendar.
SSANU maintained that it remained united and fully prepared to defend the rights, welfare, and dignity of its members if the government failed to act within the stipulated time frame.
