The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has renewed its call on the federal government to pay the remaining two months of salaries withheld from members who participated in the 2022 strike.
The union also voiced serious concerns over chronic delays in salary disbursement to staff of federal universities—who often receive their pay weeks after their counterparts in other federal agencies.
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These concerns were raised during the 51st National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the union, held at Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil, Kano State.In the communique issued at the end of the meeting, SSANU’s National President, Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, called for equitable and timely salary distribution across all tertiary institutions in the country.
The union expressed its displeasure with the stagnation in discussions surrounding the 2009 FG/SSANU Agreement, accusing the federal government’s Renegotiation Committee of inaction.
The union demanded immediate resumption of talks to resolve outstanding issues affecting its members and warned that further delays could ignite another wave of industrial action.
SSANU also criticized the manner in which the ₦50 billion Earned Allowance was distributed. Only ₦10 billion—representing 20 percent—was allocated to SSANU and other non-academic unions.
“This allocation is unjust, discriminatory, and fails to acknowledge the indispensable role SSANU members play in the effective functioning of Nigerian Universities. It is also in breach of the MoU signed with the joint action committee (JAC) of NASU and SSANU in August 2022. NEC calls for a redress of this injustice meted out to our members in the Universities and inter-university centres,” the communique read.
Further, the union accused the federal government of routinely neglecting negotiated agreements, including various MoUs and MoAs, warning that such patterns undermine trust and accountability.
“NEC warns that if this pattern of neglect continues, the Union will be left with no choice but to explore all lawful and appropriate avenues to compel compliance,” the statement added.
The union also spoke out against the deteriorating security situation in the country, pointing to mass killings in states like Benue and Plateau as evidence of the urgent need for comprehensive action.
SSANU urged the government to declare a state of emergency on national security and prioritize investment in advanced security technology and intelligence operations.
They also called for tackling the socio-economic root causes of violence, such as poverty and youth unemployment.
On economic matters, the union acknowledged the federal government’s reforms—including fuel subsidy removal and currency unification—but warned that these have significantly worsened living conditions for many Nigerians.
They pointed to surging inflation, high food costs, and a general decline in purchasing power as signs that many citizens are under severe economic stress.
To mitigate these effects, SSANU proposed that the government adopt urgent relief strategies such as food subsidies, fuel vouchers, and conditional cash transfers aimed at low-income households.
“NEC calls on the Federal Government to demonstrate sincerity, commitment, and responsiveness in addressing our demands as SSANU reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the promotion of equity, professionalism, and good governance within the Nigerian university system and the broader national landscape. The union remains resolute in its duty to protect the welfare, rights, and dignity of its members across the country,” the communique added.
 has renewed its call on the federal government to pay the remaining two months of salaries withheld from members who participated in the 2022 strike.){kind=link}