The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has cautioned the Federal Government that failure to meet its outstanding demands and conclude ongoing renegotiations by December 31, 2025, will lead to a complete shutdown of universities across the country in 2026.
The warning was issued in a communique released on Monday after the union’s 53rd National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at the University of Jos. Signed by SSANU President Muhammed Ibrahim, the document said years of neglect, marginalisation and worsening conditions on campuses have pushed non-teaching staff to the limit. The union stressed that it would no longer tolerate government’s indifference to their welfare and the stability of the university system.
SSANU said its patience has worn thin over government’s refusal to release the N50 billion provided in the 2022 Memorandum of Understanding for Earned Allowances, as well as the persistent exclusion of Inter-University Centres and research institutes from earlier payments. It also condemned what it described as systemic marginalisation of non-teaching staff in key government engagements.
The union argued that government’s failure to make a credible offer in the ongoing renegotiation process reflects a pattern of deliberate neglect, warning that further delay would make industrial unrest inevitable. It also expressed concern over rising insecurity in educational institutions, citing recent abductions in Niger and Kebbi States as evidence of growing threats to students and staff.
According to SSANU, many campuses remain highly vulnerable due to poor lighting, damaged perimeter fences, weak intelligence systems and underfunded security units. The union called for immediate government investment in surveillance systems, perimeter fencing and comprehensive insurance coverage for all university personnel.
SSANU also rejected plans by the Federal Ministry of Education to adopt Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models for municipal services in universities. It warned that similar PPP arrangements in other sectors have often resulted in job losses, casualisation and deteriorating working conditions. The union insisted that no staff must lose their employment or be placed under inferior terms through any form of divestment, vowing to resist policies introduced without proper labour impact assessments and full stakeholder engagement.
The communique further highlighted the deepening underfunding and infrastructure decay plaguing universities nationwide. SSANU noted that unreliable power supply, dilapidated hostels, faulty water systems and outdated laboratories have made campuses unsafe for teaching and research. It urged the government to ensure predictable and adequate funding to help restore stability and functionality to the system.
The union also raised alarm over the economic hardship faced by university workers. It said stagnant salaries, soaring inflation, high transportation costs and rising prices of essential goods have left many staff members in financial distress. SSANU called for an urgent wage review that reflects current economic realities and pressed for stronger social protection measures for education sector workers.
The communique stated in part: “We have given the government enough time. If by December 31 our demands are not addressed in full and renegotiation is not concluded, the shutdown of universities in 2026 will be unavoidable. The responsibility will rest squarely on the government.
“Our members have endured years of injustice, exclusion and hardship. The marginalisation of non-teaching staff must end, and the government must honour its agreements without further excuses.
“The decaying infrastructure, insecurity on campuses and the collapse of basic services show that the system is on life support. We cannot continue to work under these dangerous and humiliating conditions.
“SSANU will continue to pursue dialogue, but we will not hesitate to defend the rights and dignity of our members. Government must act now to prevent a total collapse of the university system.”
