SSANU issues one month ultimatum to FG over 2009 agreement renegotiation
...condemns exclusion of research institutes from ₦50bn earned allowance
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has issued a formal ultimatum to the Federal Government, demanding the immediate conclusion of the long-standing renegotiation of the 2009 agreement.
Following its 54th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at Ekiti State University, the union warned that it would embark on a nationwide, indefinite, and total industrial action if a new agreement is not finalized and signed by April 30, 2026.
The SSANU leadership described the prolonged talks as inconclusive and unacceptable, noting that the persistent delays have severely eroded trust and exacerbated tensions within the university system.
The union’s grievances extend beyond the negotiation impasse to include deteriorating welfare conditions for university staff.
The NEC highlighted severe hardships caused by persistent salary delays, unpaid increments, and withheld entitlements, which have collectively undermined productivity and morale.
Arising from the meeting, the union is demanding the immediate settlement of all outstanding salary-related issues and is urging the government to adopt a more reliable, unified payment platform to prevent future disruptions.
The SSANU also expressed significant dissatisfaction with the government's failure to fully implement the ₦50 billion earned allowance disbursement agreed upon in 2022, particularly condemning the exclusion of research institutes and inter-university centres from previous payments.
The union further linked the current crisis to systemic funding inadequacies and the nation’s rising cost of living.
The union emphasized that inflation has significantly diminished the purchasing power of its members, necessitating urgent wage reviews and strengthened social protections.
It also raised alarms regarding the decaying infrastructure and weak digital capabilities of Nigerian universities, which it argues are limiting research innovation and global competitiveness.
SSANU called for predictable, transparent, and adequate funding to restore the quality of service delivery in public institutions.
Concerns over security within university communities were also a primary focus of the communiqué. The NEC union for decisive, intelligence-driven measures to safeguard lives and property, alongside improvements to campus surveillance and personnel welfare.
While reaffirming its commitment to lawful engagement and its alignment with the broader labor movement, SSANU maintained a firm stance against policies that could threaten job security, such as certain public-private partnership models.
The union concluded that it has demonstrated significant patience but will not hesitate to act if the government fails to restore confidence through industrial justice within the stipulated timeframe.