Delays in the implementation of the new agreement between the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the federal government may spark another round of restiveness in the federal and state-owned ivory towers.
To forestall crisis, SSANU has called on the federal and state governments to immediately release funds for the implementation of the 2026 wage agreement for university workers and clear outstanding salary arrears, reports The Guardian.
The union also warned against any form of victimisation of members participating in lawful union activities.
The union made the demand in a communiqué issued at the end of its 55th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi.
In a communique signed by the President of the union, Mohammed Ibrahim, SSANU described the signing of the 2026 Federal Government/SSANU Agreement on June 29 as a landmark achievement, noting that it ended years of negotiations and secured a 35 per cent upward review of emoluments through the Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance (CONTTA), improved earned allowances, enhanced staff development opportunities and protection of non-teaching positions.
The union commended the Federal Government, the FGN Expanded Tertiary Institutions Negotiation Committee and its own negotiating team for concluding the agreement, but stressed that its value would depend on faithful implementation.
NEC urged the federal and state governments to release funds without delay for the implementation of the agreement and payment of arrears, while calling for the immediate inauguration of the implementation monitoring committee to ensure compliance and address any violations.
The council warned against denial of negotiated benefits, punitive postings, delayed promotions, harassment or victimisation of members because of their participation in union activities.
It also directed its branches nationwide to maintain accurate membership records and report cases of discrimination or non-compliance through the union’s established channels.
On outstanding salary arrears, SSANU commended vice chancellors and heads of institutions that had fully or partially paid the approved 25 and 35 per cent salary increase arrears, but criticised institutions yet to implement the payment, urging them to do so to ease workers’ economic hardship.
The union welcomed the federal government’s HOPE-EDU programme and the 2026 TETFund allocation of about ₦2.53 billion to each public university, but insisted that intervention funds could not substitute for adequate statutory funding of tertiary education.
It urged the government to fulfil its ₦1.3 trillion university revitalisation commitment and publish transparent records of releases, completed projects and outstanding obligations.
SSANU also called for increased investment in staff and student accommodation, electricity supply, laboratories, research, digital infrastructure, cybersecurity and staff training, while cautioning against digital reforms that could lead to indiscriminate job losses or casualisation.
On the economy, NEC expressed concern that the slight decline in headline inflation had not translated into relief for workers, pointing to rising food inflation and declining purchasing power.
The union urged the government to strengthen social protection, improve pensions, expand affordable housing and transportation, and ensure that the new tax framework was fair and free from arbitrary deductions and multiple taxation.
The council also condemned worsening insecurity, including kidnapping, insurgency, banditry and communal violence, while calling for equal government response to victims across the country.
It expressed concern over the reported abduction of 42 children in Mussa town, Borno State, saying every Nigerian life deserved equal protection and attention.
On governance, SSANU supported moves toward state police but insisted that any constitutional amendment must contain safeguards against political abuse and intimidation of workers, journalists and trade unionists.
The union also backed genuine local government autonomy, called for credible preparations for the 2027 general elections, and urged anti-corruption agencies to operate independently and professionally.
NEC reaffirmed SSANU’s commitment to industrial harmony, constructive engagement and the defence of workers’ rights, while pledging to monitor implementation of the 2026 agreement and continue advocating policies that promote accountability and the development of Nigeria’s university system.
