The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to pay outstanding salary arrears. The ultimatum was announced by SSANU National President, Mr Mohammed Ibrahim, in a communique issued on Monday in Abuja. The communique was released after the union's 56th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, which was held at the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom, from September 30 to October 1.
The NEC meeting deliberated on various issues, including workers' welfare, university funding, and the implementation of the 2026 FGN/SSANU Agreement. Mr Ibrahim stated that the union demanded the immediate payment of all outstanding arrears arising from the implementation of the 2026 FGN/SSANU CONTTA salary structure, effective from January 1, 2026. The union also demanded the payment of two months' salaries withheld during the 2022 industrial action and one-year arrears from the 25 percent and 35 percent salary increases.
According to Mr Ibrahim, some universities had implemented the salary structure largely through internally sourced funds, without direct financial backing from the Federal Government. He urged Vice-Chancellors and Governing Councils of universities that were yet to implement the agreement to emulate institutions that had taken proactive steps toward compliance. The SSANU president described the outstanding payments as "legitimate entitlements" owed to affected workers.
Mr Ibrahim expressed concern over the uneven implementation of the agreement in state-owned universities and called on state governments to provide the necessary funding for full compliance. He also called for increased investment in university infrastructure, including electricity, laboratories, workshops, libraries, ICT facilities, security systems, and infrastructure maintenance. The union rejected virtual accreditation as a substitute for physical verification.
The SSANU president stated that failure to meet the demands within the stipulated period would compel the union to embark on an indefinite strike without further notice. The union's NEC categorically demanded the immediate release and payment of all outstanding arrears arising from the implementation of the 2026 FGN/SSANU CONTTA salary structure, calculated from the effective date of January 1, 2026.
The issue of salary arrears has worsened the financial hardship confronting SSANU members, according to Mr Ibrahim. The union is seeking to address the issue through dialogue with the Federal Government. The 14-day ultimatum is a final warning to the government to take concrete steps to address the issue.
The SSANU ultimatum comes as a result of the Federal Government's failure to pay outstanding salary arrears to university staff. The situation has led to widespread discontent among university workers, who are seeking better welfare and improved working conditions. The union's threat of an indefinite strike could disrupt academic activities in Nigerian universities if the government fails to meet its demands.
Key points
- SSANU issues 14-day ultimatum to FG to pay outstanding salary arrears.
- Union threatens indefinite strike if demands are not met.
- Salary arrears have worsened financial hardship confronting SSANU members.
