The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has issued a strong warning to the Federal Government, threatening to embark on a fresh round of industrial action if long-standing grievances over withheld salaries and unfair treatment are not urgently addressed.
Speaking at the 51st National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at the Federal University of Technology, Wudil, Kano State, the union leadership decried the persistent marginalisation of non-teaching staff within Nigeria’s federal universities, noting a series of unresolved issues that continue to frustrate workers and cripple morale across institutions.
Two Months of Withheld Salaries Still Unpaid
At the core of SSANU’s grievance is the Federal Government’s failure to pay two months’ salaries that were withheld from workers who participated in a nationwide strike action in 2022. While the government had earlier released payments to members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), it has left out the non-teaching staff—an action SSANU describes as unjust and discriminatory.
According to the union, this selective disbursement of salaries runs contrary to the principles of fairness and inclusivity. SSANU argues that all university workers, irrespective of their roles, are essential to the effective functioning of institutions, and as such, deserve equal treatment.
“The non-teaching staff of Nigerian universities have continued to be relegated to the background,” SSANU stated in its NEC communiqué. “It is unacceptable that up till now, the two months’ withheld salaries of our members who participated in the 2022 industrial action are yet to be paid, while others have been settled.”
Unequal Distribution of Earned Allowances
Adding to their frustration, SSANU also criticised the recent distribution of the ₦50 billion Earned Allowance released by the government. Of this amount, only ₦10 billion—just 20%—was allocated to the three non-teaching university unions, including SSANU.
The union condemned the allocation as a breach of the 2022 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the government, which they say guaranteed a fair and equitable sharing formula. They argued that the paltry share given to non-teaching staff does not reflect the critical roles they play in university administration and support services.
“This skewed allocation is not only unfair, it is an outright violation of the agreement reached with the government. We demand an immediate review of the formula used and a correction of the injustice done to our members,” the statement read.
Threat of Industrial Action Looms
In response to these unresolved issues, SSANU has vowed to take all necessary legal and union-sanctioned actions to compel the Federal Government to fulfill its obligations. The union said it is ready to mobilize its members across the country for strike action if the government continues to delay.
“We are giving the government a window of opportunity to act swiftly and avoid a crisis. However, if this opportunity is wasted, we will have no choice but to explore all lawful avenues to ensure our members get what they are owed,” the union warned.
This is not the first time SSANU has had to resort to industrial threats. In recent years, the union has been at the forefront of agitation for better conditions of service, and it has consistently criticized successive administrations for failing to keep promises made during negotiations.
Delayed Renegotiation of 2009 Agreement
SSANU also expressed deep concern over the continued delay in renegotiating the 2009 FG–SSANU agreement, which has remained unresolved for over a decade. The union said it finds it “worrisome and unacceptable” that the government has failed to give the matter the attention it deserves.
According to the union, the renegotiation of this agreement is crucial to addressing several welfare and professional development issues affecting non-academic staff.
Rising Economic Hardship and National Security Concerns
Beyond issues directly affecting university staff, SSANU used the NEC meeting to highlight broader national concerns. The union called on the Federal Government to address the rising economic hardship being faced by Nigerians, especially in the aftermath of fuel subsidy removal.
They also expressed alarm over growing insecurity and called on President Bola Tinubu to declare a national state of emergency on security, noting that the safety of citizens and university communities must be a top priority.
Conclusion: Will the Government Act in Time?
With these multiple grievances piling up and pressure mounting from SSANU’s leadership, the Federal Government faces another test of its commitment to fairness, transparency, and accountability in the education sector. The threat of industrial action by non-teaching staff in federal universities is a clear signal that time is running out.
As Nigeria’s education system continues to grapple with funding challenges, poor infrastructure and frequent strikes, all eyes will now be on the government to act swiftly and prevent yet another round of university disruptions.