SSANU Gives FG 14 Days To Pay Arrears, Threatens Indefinite Strike

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has given the federal government a 14-day ultimatum to release funds for the implementation of its 2026 agreement and pay outstanding salary arrears.

The union threatened to embark on a total and indefinite strike if the demand is not met.

The ultimatum was issued at the end of the union’s 56th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

In a communiqué signed by its national president, Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, SSANU said implementation of the 2026 FGN/SSANU agreement, which took effect from January 1, remained incomplete and uneven across universities despite its formal signing on June 29.

The union specifically demanded immediate payment of all arrears arising from the Consolidated University Teaching and Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure (CONTTA) salary structure from January 1, 2026, as well as the outstanding two months’ salaries withheld during the 2022 industrial action and one-year arrears from the 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary increases.

SSANU said some universities had implemented the CONTTA structure largely through internally generated funds because of the absence of direct Federal Government funding, and urged institutions yet to comply to do so in the interest of industrial harmony.

The union also demanded full implementation of the agreement in state-owned universities, warning against unequal treatment of workers across the Nigerian university system.

The communique reads in part, “NEC, in session, after exhaustive deliberations on the continued non-release of funds for the implementation of the 2026 FGN/SSANU agreement, issued the federal government a fourteen (14) day ultimatum to release the required funds and ensure the full payment of all outstanding CONTTA arrears.

NEC stressed that members have waited sufficiently for the benefits of an Agreement already concluded and therefore demand immediate and full compliance within the stipulated period.

Failure by the federal government to meet this demand within the fourteen (14) days will compel the union to resume a total, comprehensive and indefinite strike action without further notice.

While remaining committed to constructive engagement and industrial harmony, NEC maintained that the Union would continue to deploy all lawful and constitutional means necessary to defend the legitimate rights and interests of its members.”

SSANU also called for increased funding of universities, improved infrastructure and stronger security, while rejecting the use of virtual accreditation as a substitute for physical inspection of university facilities and programmes.

The union also opposed any concession or privatisation of King’s College, Lagos, or other public educational institutions, insisting that public ownership and affordable access to education must be protected.

SSANU further expressed concern over insecurity, food inflation and the rising cost of living, urging government to protect farming communities and educational institutions while taking measures to restore workers’ purchasing power.

The union said it remained open to constructive engagement but would use lawful means to defend its members’ rights if the federal government failed to honour its commitments.