The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has issued a firm ultimatum to the Federal Government, demanding the immediate conclusion of the long-pending renegotiation of the 2009 agreement with non-teaching university unions. The union warned that failure to resolve the matter within one month could result in a nationwide indefinite strike.
The warning followed the union’s 54th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at Ekiti State University, where members expressed frustration over what they described as the slow progress and lack of concrete outcomes from discussions that have dragged on for years. According to the union, the continued delay has deepened mistrust and heightened tension within the university system.
SSANU criticised the prolonged negotiations, stating that continuous engagement without clear commitments, timelines, or results is unacceptable. The union insisted that the Federal Government must urgently reconvene negotiations and conclude the process in a fair, transparent, and time-bound manner.
The union gave the government from April 1 to April 30, 2026, to finalise the renegotiation and sign a new agreement. It warned that if the deadline is not met, it would collaborate with its Joint Action Committee partner to begin an indefinite and comprehensive industrial action, stressing that there would be no reversal of the decision.
SSANU also raised concerns over worsening welfare conditions for university workers. The NEC highlighted persistent salary delays, unpaid increments, and other withheld entitlements, describing the situation as one that has created severe hardship for members and their families while also affecting morale and productivity across universities.
The union demanded the immediate settlement of all outstanding salary-related obligations and called on the government to adopt a more reliable payment system to prevent recurring disruptions in salary payments.
On the issue of earned allowances, SSANU expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s failure to fully implement the disbursement of the ₦50 billion approved in 2022. The union also criticised the exclusion of inter-university centres and research institutes from previous payments, insisting that all eligible workers must benefit from the allowance without discrimination.
The NEC further linked the ongoing challenges within the university system to the wider economic difficulties in the country. It noted that rising inflation and the increasing cost of living have significantly reduced workers’ purchasing power and urged the government to introduce urgent relief measures, including wage reviews and stronger social protection programmes.
SSANU also drew attention to the persistent funding crisis in Nigerian universities, warning that inadequate financial support continues to result in deteriorating infrastructure, weak service delivery, and limited opportunities for research and innovation. The union urged the government to prioritise education by ensuring predictable, transparent, and sufficient funding for public universities.
On national security, the union raised concerns about the worsening security situation and its impact on university communities. It called for stronger, intelligence-driven measures to protect lives and property across the country and urged authorities to improve campus security through better surveillance systems, upgraded infrastructure, and improved welfare for security personnel.
The NEC also warned that Nigerian universities are gradually losing their global competitiveness due to weak digital infrastructure and limited support for research. It called for urgent investment in digital transformation and stronger institutional collaborations to keep universities relevant on the global stage.
Reaffirming its alignment with the broader labour movement, SSANU commended the support of the Nigeria Labour Congress while maintaining its commitment to lawful engagement. However, it cautioned against policies that could threaten job security, particularly public-private partnership arrangements that may lead to job losses or undermine workers’ rights.
The union stressed that the continued neglect of university workers can no longer be tolerated and urged the Federal Government to take decisive steps to restore confidence in its commitment to fairness and industrial justice.
SSANU noted that it has shown patience and goodwill despite the prolonged challenges. However, it warned that if the government fails to act within the stipulated timeframe, the union will not hesitate to embark on lawful industrial action.
With the April deadline approaching, the warning signals the possibility of renewed industrial unrest in Nigeria’s university system if urgent steps are not taken to resolve the lingering dispute.
