SSANU demands immediate payment of 2026 agreement arrears
By Taiwo Scholarstica
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has called on the Federal and State Governments to release funds for the implementation of the newly signed 2026 agreement, including the payment of salary arrears owed to its members.
The union also warned against any delay or discrimination in extending the benefits contained in the agreement to eligible members.
The demand was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of SSANU’s 55th National Executive Council meeting held at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, from July 22 to 24, 2026.
The communiqué, signed by the National President of SSANU, Comrade Mohammed Haruna Ibrahim, described the June 29, 2026 signing of the Federal Government-SSANU agreement as a landmark achievement following years of negotiations.
According to the union, the agreement provides for a 35 per cent salary increase through the Consolidated Non-Teaching Staff Salary Structure, improved earned allowances, better staff training and development, protection of non-teaching positions, and equal career progression opportunities for qualified degree holders up to CONTISS 15.
The NEC stated, “The implementation of the agreement must be done promptly, fully, and without encroachment or discrimination.”
SSANU urged the Federal and State Governments to “urgently release the funds for the implementation and payment of arrears of the approved review to our members without further delay.”
The union also called for the immediate activation of the Implementation Monitoring Committee contained in the agreement to monitor compliance and address any violations.
SSANU warned universities against denying members their negotiated benefits or victimizing workers over legitimate union activities.
“NEC seriously warned against the denial of negotiated benefits, punitive postings, delayed promotions, harassment, or any form of victimization arising from members’ participation in lawful union activities,” the communiqué read.
The council clarified that the agreement applies only to constitutionally recognized SSANU members and directed its branches to maintain accurate membership records.
It also asked members to report cases of marginalization or non-compliance through the appropriate union structures.
On outstanding salary arrears, SSANU commended vice-chancellors and heads of institutions that had fully or partially implemented payments relating to the 25 and 35 per cent salary increases.
However, the union criticized institutions that were yet to comply with the payment directive.
“Council frowns at Vice-Chancellors and Heads of Institutions that are yet to implement or pay arrears of the 25%/35% salary increase and hereby urges them to do so without further delay to enhance staff motivation and cushion the effect of economic hardship,” it stated.
The union also welcomed the Federal Government’s HOPE-EDU programme and the 2026 Tertiary Education Trust Fund intervention of about ₦2.53bn allocated to each public university.
However, SSANU stressed that TETFund interventions should complement rather than replace statutory government funding.
“The Council stressed that TETFund is supplementary and must not replace adequate government funding, regular budgetary releases, and the fulfillment of the ₦1.3tn public university revitalization commitment,” it said.
The union called for transparency in the management of education funds and urged the government to invest more in staff and student accommodation, laboratories, electricity, digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, research, and staff development.
On the economy, SSANU expressed concern that the marginal drop in headline inflation from 15.93 per cent in May to 15.91 per cent in June had not translated into better living conditions for workers.
It also noted that food inflation increased from 16.96 per cent to 17.52 per cent within the same period.
The union urged the government to improve workers’ purchasing power through better pensions, affordable housing, improved transportation, and stronger social protection measures.
It also called for fairness and transparency in the implementation of the country’s new tax framework.
SSANU further expressed concern over the rising cases of kidnapping, banditry, insurgency, and communal violence affecting schools, universities, highways, and farming communities.
While commending security agencies for rescuing abducted pupils and teachers in Oyo State, the union expressed concern over the reported abduction of 42 children in Mussa town, Borno State, who it said had remained missing for more than two months.
“The Council demanded equal urgency, mobilization, sympathy, and support for victims in every part of Nigeria, stressing that the life of every Nigerian citizen has equal value,” the communiqué stated.
On the proposed establishment of state police, SSANU backed efforts to decentralize policing through constitutional reforms but called for adequate safeguards to prevent political abuse and the intimidation of workers, journalists, and trade unionists.
The union also urged universities to improve campus security through perimeter fencing, surveillance systems, better lighting, emergency communication facilities, and stronger cooperation with security agencies.
It further supported genuine local government autonomy based on democratic elections, transparent financial management, and public accountability.
Ahead of the 2027 general elections, SSANU called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, political parties, and security agencies to ensure credible and transparent polls while protecting university staff who participate in election duties.
The union also condemned corruption, selective justice, and the abuse of public institutions, urging anti-corruption agencies to operate independently and professionally while respecting the rule of law.
It called for fairness in public appointments, employment, and the distribution of resources in line with the federal character principle.