The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has called on the Federal Government to urgently finalise renegotiations with non-teaching university unions to ensure lasting industrial harmony in the university system.
The non-teaching unions include SSANU, the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT).
The SSANU President, Mr. Mohammed Ibrahim, made the call on Tuesday while speaking with journalists in Abuja.
Ibrahim was reacting to the recent signing of a renegotiated agreement between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). While commending the agreement, he said it was not sufficient to guarantee sustained industrial peace across Nigerian universities.
According to him, genuine stability can only be achieved if the government demonstrates the same urgency in concluding negotiations with other university-based unions.
“The ASUU agreement is a welcome development, but it does not automatically translate to total industrial peace in the university system. Government must urgently conclude renegotiations with SSANU, NASU and NAAT to avoid fresh unrest and sustain the current stability on campuses,” Ibrahim said.
He described the current situation as “not yet uhuru,” warning that unresolved negotiations could spark renewed tensions within the university system.
Ibrahim noted that the unions were signatories to the 2009 agreements, many aspects of which are yet to be fully implemented. He said discussions had already commenced and urged the government to bring them to a timely conclusion.
He cautioned that selective negotiations could lead to mistrust and perceptions of unequal treatment among unions.
The SSANU president stressed that universities operate as integrated systems, with both academic and non-teaching staff playing interdependent roles. He said non-teaching staff are essential to campus security, healthcare services, laboratories, power supply and general maintenance.
According to him, neglecting the welfare of non-teaching staff could disrupt academic activities and destabilise university calendars.
Ibrahim expressed concern that prolonged delays could undermine the recent gains recorded in industrial harmony, urging the government to show fairness, inclusiveness and sincerity through concrete actions.
He also warned that the onset of political activities ahead of the 2027 elections could further complicate delayed negotiations.
Ibrahim advised the Federal Government to respect the principles of collective bargaining in order to sustain trust and ensure lasting industrial peace in the tertiary education sector.
