The Nigerian federal government has released eight months' salary arrears owed to members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU). This development comes less than 48 hours after the union threatened to embark on an indefinite strike over the implementation of the 2026 FGN/SSANU agreement. The payment has averted an imminent disruption in the nation's universities.
SSANU president, Comrade Mohammed Haruna Ibrahim, confirmed the payment on Wednesday and commended the Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, for his intervention. Ibrahim said the development showed that constructive engagement could preserve industrial harmony and protect workers' welfare. He urged SSANU members to liaise with their university managements to ensure prompt and judicious payment.
The union had issued a 14-day ultimatum to the federal government to release the funds and settle outstanding Consolidated University Non-Academic Salary Structure (CONTISS) arrears from January 1, 2026. The ultimatum also covered two months' salaries withheld during the 2022 industrial action and one-year arrears arising from the 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary increases.
Ibrahim said Alausa had contacted the union's national president before the ultimatum was issued to confirm that the Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation were processing the funds. The payment of eight months' salary arrears did not resolve all outstanding obligations, according to the union.
SSANU insisted that the federal government must still settle the two months' withheld salaries and the one-year arrears arising from the 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary increases. The union urged state governments and governing councils of state-owned universities to ensure full and properly funded implementation of the agreement.
The union warned that selective or delayed implementation could trigger further unrest in the university system. While welcoming the payment, SSANU reaffirmed its commitment to constructive engagement and industrial peace. The union said it would deploy all lawful means to protect the rights and welfare of its members where agreements were not faithfully implemented.
Mohammed Haruna Ibrahim commended Alausa for his proactive intervention and for keeping his promise to facilitate the release of the funds. The SSANU president urged members to report any shortfall in payment to the union. The development has been seen as a positive step towards resolving the issues affecting university staff in Nigeria.
Key points
- The Nigerian federal government releases 8 months' salary arrears to SSANU members.
- The payment averted an imminent disruption in the nation's universities.
- The union still demands settlement of two months' withheld salaries and one-year arrears arising from salary increases.
