Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has issued the Federal Government a 14-day ultimatum to release funds for the implementation of the 2026 agreement with the union and pay outstanding salary arrears owed its members.
The union warned that failure to meet its demands within the stipulated period would lead to a “total, comprehensive and indefinite strike action” without further notice.
SSANU National President, Mohammed Ibrahim, announced the position in Abuja on Monday, October 5, 2026, while presenting the resolutions of the union’s 56th National Executive Council meeting held at the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, from September 30 to October 1.
The union said implementation of the 2026 Federal Government of Nigeria/SSANU Agreement, which took effect from January 1, 2026, had commenced in some universities but remained incomplete and uneven across the university system due to funding and administrative challenges.
SSANU specifically demanded the immediate release and payment of all outstanding arrears arising from the implementation of the Consolidated Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure (CONTTA), calculated from the agreement’s effective date of January 1, 2026.
According to the union, some universities that have already implemented the salary structure did so largely through internally generated funds without direct financial backing from the Federal Government.
SSANU therefore urged vice-chancellors and governing councils of universities yet to implement the agreement to follow the example of institutions that had taken steps to comply with the provisions.
The union also demanded payment of the remaining two months’ salaries withheld from affected members during the 2022 industrial action.
In addition, it demanded payment of one-year arrears arising from the 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary increases, describing the outstanding payments as legitimate entitlements owed to affected university workers.
SSANU said the continued delay in paying the arrears had worsened the financial hardship facing its members and called on the Federal Government to settle the outstanding obligations in full.
The union also expressed concern over the uneven implementation of the 2026 agreement in state-owned universities, calling on state governments and governing councils to provide the necessary funding for full and equitable implementation.
Meanwhile, Education Minister Tunji Alausa has reportedly assured SSANU that the outstanding funds would be released on or before the following week.
SSANU National President Mohammed Ibrahim said the minister’s assurance could avert the threatened industrial action if the funds were released before the expiration of the 14-day ultimatum.
The union’s latest position comes amid continuing negotiations and implementation of the 2026 agreement, which was formally signed on June 29, 2026, but took effect from January 1.
Beyond salary arrears, SSANU called for improved funding of Nigerian universities, including investment in electricity, laboratories, workshops, libraries, information and communications technology facilities, security and infrastructure maintenance.
The union also opposed the use of virtual accreditation as a replacement for physical accreditation of university programmes, arguing that physical inspection remained important for verifying facilities, staffing and learning conditions.
SSANU further raised concerns about insecurity, rising living costs and food insecurity, urging the Federal Government to strengthen protection for farming communities and educational institutions and adopt measures to protect workers’ purchasing power.
The union also rejected plans to concession King’s College, Lagos, and other public educational institutions to private interests, calling for the preservation of public ownership and accessibility.
For now, SSANU’s threatened strike remains conditional on the Federal Government’s response to the 14-day ultimatum. The union has indicated that payment of the outstanding funds within the period would avert the planned industrial action.
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