SSANU gives FG April deadline, threatens indefinite strike over 2009 agreement
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has issued a one-month ultimatum to the Federal Government to conclude the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement with non-teaching university unions or
- From Frank Ikpefan, Abuja
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has issued a one-month ultimatum to the Federal Government to conclude the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement with non-teaching university unions or risk an indefinite nationwide strike.
The decision was reached at the union’s 54th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, between March 24 and 27, 2026.
During the meeting, SSANU members deliberated extensively on the state of the nation, the university system, and their welfare.
In a communiqué released at the end of the meeting, and signed by the National President of SSANU, Mohammed Ibrahim, the union expressed “grave concern over the slow pace and inconclusive nature of the ongoing renegotiation,” insisting that prolonged discussions without “clear commitment, defined timelines, and tangible outcomes” were unacceptable.
The union urged the government to “without further delay, reconvene and conclude the renegotiation process in a fair, transparent, and time-bound manner.”
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SSANU declared a “final ultimatum” from April 1 to April 30, 2026, warning that failure to conclude and sign the agreement within the period would force it to act in collaboration with its Joint Action Committee partner toward an indefinite strike.
“Should the Government fail to do so within this period, the Union will have no other alternative than to commence an indefinite, comprehensive and total industrial action,” the communiqué stated.
The union added that there will be no going back on the decision.
The union also decried persistent delays in the payment of salaries in federal and some state universities, as well as the non-payment of approved increments and other withheld entitlements.
SSANU said the situation has “imposed severe hardship on members and their families, weakened morale, and undermined productivity,” and demanded the immediate settlement of all outstanding issues.
It further recommended the adoption of the Remita platform for salary payments, citing its reliability.
On the issue of earned allowances, the union faulted the Federal Government’s handling of the ₦50 billion approved in 2022, noting the exclusion of inter-university centres and research institutes from previous disbursements.
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The union insisted that “all eligible categories of workers must be included without discrimination.”
It also expressed concern over worsening economic hardship in the country, attributing it to inflation and the rising cost of living, which it said has significantly reduced workers’ purchasing power.
It called on the government to implement “practical relief measures, including wage review, improved social protection, and concrete interventions.”
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The union further lamented the persistent underfunding of Nigerian universities, warning that it has resulted in “decaying infrastructure, weak service delivery, and inadequate support for teaching, research, innovation, and administration,” and urged the government to prioritise education through transparent and adequate funding.
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On national security, SSANU expressed deep concern over rising cases of terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and communal violence, while also highlighting growing insecurity within and around university campuses.
It called for more decisive and intelligence-driven actions to safeguard lives and property, as well as improved security architecture in tertiary institutions.
Reiterating its stance on ongoing reforms, the union opposed any Public-Private Partnership arrangements that could lead to job losses or erosion of workers’ rights, stressing that reforms must protect workers and enhance service delivery.
SSANU warned that continued neglect of university workers’ welfare and delays in resolving critical labour issues “can no longer be tolerated,” urging the Federal Government to take “immediate, sincere, and decisive steps” to restore confidence in the system.
It maintained that while the union has shown patience and goodwill, it remains “fully prepared to defend the rights, welfare, and dignity of its members” through lawful industrial action if necessary.
