Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Federal Government has released eight months of salary arrears owed members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), following the union’s threat to embark on an indefinite strike.
SSANU confirmed the release on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, less than two days after it issued a 14-day ultimatum demanding the immediate implementation of the 2026 Federal Government-SSANU agreement and payment of outstanding arrears.
The development followed a warning by the union that failure by the government to address its demands within 14 days would lead to a “total, comprehensive and indefinite strike action” across the university system.
SSANU National President, Mohammed Haruna Ibrahim, confirmed that the eight months’ arrears had been released and commended the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, for what he described as a swift intervention.
Ibrahim said the development demonstrated that constructive engagement backed by prompt government action could help protect industrial harmony and the welfare of university workers.
The union had raised the issue at its 56th National Executive Council meeting held at the University of Uyo in Akwa Ibom State from September 30 to October 1, 2026.
At the meeting, SSANU demanded the immediate release of funds required to implement the 2026 FGN-SSANU agreement, including arrears arising from the Consolidated University Teaching and Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure, known as CONTTA, with effect from January 1, 2026.
The union had complained that implementation of the agreement remained incomplete and uneven across universities because of funding and administrative challenges. It also said some institutions had resorted to internally generated funds to begin implementing the salary structure.
SSANU had also demanded payment of two months’ salaries withheld from its members during the 2022 industrial action, as well as one-year arrears resulting from the 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary increases.
Those demands remain separate from the eight months’ arrears whose release the union confirmed on Wednesday.
Following the payment, SSANU advised its members to liaise with their respective university managements to ensure that the released funds are paid promptly and correctly.
The union also asked members to report any shortfall or irregularity in the payment process to its leadership.
The latest development temporarily eases concerns of another disruption in Nigeria’s university system after SSANU warned that it could shut down operations if the Federal Government failed to meet its demands.
The union’s 14-day ultimatum had been issued on October 5, 2026, with the government initially expected to release the required funds on or before the following week. The payment therefore came considerably earlier than the deadline contained in the ultimatum.
While welcoming the release, SSANU’s outstanding demands mean that the broader dispute over the implementation of the 2026 agreement has not been completely resolved.
The union continues to seek payment of the two months’ withheld salaries from the 2022 industrial action and the arrears arising from the 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary adjustments.
SSANU has also called for full and equitable implementation of the 2026 agreement in state-owned universities, where it says implementation has varied between institutions.
For now, however, the release of the eight months’ arrears removes the immediate threat of the indefinite strike announced by the union, pending further action on its remaining demands.
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