The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has warned the Federal Government over unresolved labour disputes and worsening conditions within Nigeria’s university system.
The warning followed the union’s 54th National Executive Council meeting held at Ekiti State University, where concerns were raised about prolonged negotiations and staff welfare.
In a communiqué dated March 29, 2026, SSANU said it “expresses grave concern over the slow pace and inconclusive nature of the ongoing renegotiation between the Federal Government and the non-teaching unions in the university system,” noting that extended discussions without tangible outcomes are no longer acceptable.
The statement, signed by SSANU National President, Muhammad Ibrahim, followed deliberations held between March 26 and 27.
The union issued a firm ultimatum, declaring that “SSANU hereby issues a final ultimatum to the Federal Government from 1st April, 2026 to 30th April, 2026 to conclude the renegotiation process and sign the agreement.”
It warned that failure to meet the deadline would result in industrial action, stressing that “there will be no going back on this decision by the JAC of NASU and SSANU.”
SSANU also criticised the recurring delays in salary payments affecting staff in federal and some state universities.
According to the communiqué, “these recurring delays have imposed severe hardship on members and their families, weakened morale, and undermined productivity across the university system.”
The union demanded immediate settlement of outstanding salaries and called for a “reliable and unified salary payment structure,” recommending the adoption of the Remita platform.
On earned allowances, SSANU faulted the government’s handling of the N50bn disbursement agreed in 2022, stating it “expresses dissatisfaction with the failure of Government to fully and fairly implement the disbursement,” while also condemning “the exclusion of Inter-University Centres and Research Institutes from previous disbursements.”
Addressing broader economic concerns, the union highlighted inflation and rising living costs, pointing to “the worsening economic hardship in the country,” and urged authorities to implement wage reviews and social protection measures.
The communiqué further linked the challenges in universities to chronic underfunding, warning that it has resulted in “decaying infrastructure, weak service delivery, and inadequate support for teaching, research, innovation, and administration.”
It called for education to be prioritised through “predictable, transparent, and adequate funding of public universities.”
On security, SSANU expressed concern over rising violence nationwide, citing “incidents of terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, communal violence, and other tragic attacks,” and urged stronger government action to safeguard lives and property.
The union also raised alarm over campus safety, calling for improved security measures such as surveillance systems, better lighting, and rapid response mechanisms.
Highlighting global competitiveness, SSANU warned that Nigerian universities risk falling behind due to weak digital infrastructure and limited research funding, urging urgent investment in innovation and technology.
Reaffirming its position, the union pledged continued collaboration with the Nigeria Labour Congress and urged members to remain “united, disciplined, vigilant, and committed to the ideals of the Union.”
It also rejected public-private partnership arrangements that could threaten job security, opposing reforms that may lead to “job losses, casualisation, or erosion of the rights and conditions of service of university workers.”
Outlining its demands, SSANU stated, “NEC demands the immediate reconvening of the renegotiation process; prompt resolution of salary delays, withheld salaries, and increments; fair disbursement of earned allowances to all eligible workers, protection of jobs under any reform framework; and the establishment of a standing consultative mechanism between Govemment and university unions for continuous dialogue and early dispute resolution.”
In its concluding remarks, the union warned that continued neglect would no longer be tolerated.
“The Federal Government is hereby called upon to take immediate, sincere, and decisive steps to conclude the renegotiation process, settle all outstanding entitlements, and restore confidence in its commitment to industrial justice,” the statement read.
It added that “SSANU has demonstrated maturity, patience, and goodwill in the face of provocation and hardship,” but stressed that the union “will not hesitate to embark on decisive and lawful industrial action” if its demands are ignored.
The development comes amid heightened labour tensions in the university sector, with the Academic Staff Union of Universities also recently issuing a fresh ultimatum over salary implementation and welfare concerns, raising fears of another nationwide disruption in public universities
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